HC Deb 02 May 1980 vol 983 cc706-7W
Mr. Tilley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to the Independent Broadcasting Authority about coverage by independent television companies of the Moscow Olympics; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Whitelaw

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) on 28 February. A joint statement was issued by the broadcasting authorities on 17 April to the effect that the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Broadcasting Authority in consultation with the independent programme companies had jointly confirmed that they would not go ahead with the full live coverage of the Olympic Games as formerly intended and that there would be further discussions as the situation developed about the precise form and extent of the reduced coverage to be given to the Games.