HL Deb 04 June 1986 vol 475 cc1080-1WA
Lord Granville of Eye

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ascertain from the BBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority the basis on which political party commentators are invited to comment on news items and current affairs apart from the official party broadcasts.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)

The content of programmes, and decisions as to who should participate in them, are matters for the broadcasting authorities. I understand that, apart from the coverage of elections and ministerial and party political broadcasts, where special rules apply, the choice of participants in programmes is determined by normal editorial criteria, including the subject matter of the programme. Both the BBC and the IBA have confirmed that they recognise an obligation to ensure that due impartiality is preserved in the presentation of news and current affairs; over a period of time they would expect a wide range of political views to be reflected in their programmes.