§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
In what terms they reply to complaints from foreign embassies about the context of broadcasts of any kind from the United Kingdom and whether they will consider framing a general statement to respond to such complaints.
§ Lord InglewoodBroadcasters which come within United Kingdom jurisdiction are subject to its established regulatory frameworks, within which they have editorial independence. Complaints about the content of broadcasts are a matter for the broadcasters concerned and the regulatory authorities. Any complaints to Her Majesty's Government from foreign embassies about such matters would therefore be 151WA referred to the appropriate authority, whether the BBC, the Independent Television Commission or the Radio Authority. If there had been a breach of the broadcasting regulations, they would take the appropriate enforcement action. The Government would respond to the relevant embassy in the light of the regulators' comments. Given the individual nature of complaints, each is handled on its merits and a general statement would not be appropriate.