HL Deb 30 June 1980 vol 411 c214WA
Lord BROCKWAY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will request the BBC to reconsider their refusal to show the film "The War Game" in view of the fact that they are showing other films which are more likely to disturb viewers, that it is important that the public should be made aware of the potential destructiveness of nuclear war, and that the BBC themselves are co-operating ill the showing of "The War Game" by organisations which report no ill-effects on public audiences.

Lord BELSTEAD

The broadcasting authorities have editorial responsibility for the content of their programme and it would be contrary to long established practice, endorsed by successive Governments, for Ministers to seek to influence them in deciding what to broadcast. The decision whether to broadcast "The War Game" on BBC television is therefore for the corporation alone.