§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Lord Privy Seal what steps Her Majesty's Government will now take to pursue further inquiries arising out of the Bingham report.
§ Sir Ian GilmourI have nothing to add at this stage to the reply I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 13 June.—[Vol. 968,c. 236.]
§ Mr. S. C. Silkinasked the Lord Privy Seal what plans he has to ensure the political independence of the media, and in particular the broadcasting media in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, between the ceasefire and the election.
§ Mr. LuceIt has been agreed in the conference that all parties should have free and universal access to the public media; and there will be freedom to advertise and publish political views in the press. The Governor will take appropriate steps to see that this is done, and will watch over radio, television and press output generally. He will be assisted by the Election Commissioner and by other members of his staff who will have appropriate experience.
§ Mr. S. C. Silkinasked the Lord Privy Seal what instructions he will give to the Governor to ensure the political independence of the media, and in particular the broadcasting media, in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia prior to the election.
§ Mr. LuceThe Governor will be instructed to ensure, through the Election Commissioner, that all political parties contesting the election have a fair opportunity to obtain access to the media and are free to advertise and to publish their 633W political views. His advisers will keep abreast of the political reporting and commentary put out by the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation, bearing in mind the need to maintain editorial balance in the coverage of political parties and their activities.
§ Mr. S. C. Silkinasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will arrange for the Governor to second to the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation during the period up to the election personnel from the United Kingdom experienced in the impartial reporting of and commenting upon elections in order to assist the corporation in achieving desirable objectivity.
§ Mr. LuceI refer the right hon. and learned Member to the replies I have given to his two preceding questions. The Governor and his staff will be keeping the situation under review and will take any further steps that seem to them necessary.