§ Mr. Winnickasked the Lord Privy Seal what steps he took to inform the television company concerned about the protests made by the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London regarding the programme "The Death of a Princess"; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Ian GilmourProtests were not made by the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London. Saudi concern at the programme was expressed to our embassy in Saudi Arabia by the Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal. It is not open to us to640W ban television programmes even though they may be offensive to ourselves or our friends. At the same time, it was considered quite proper to inform the company of the concern the Saudis had expressed—and I spoke to the managing director of ATV.