CAB129-52 — Page 21

CONFIDENT IAL

C. (52) 156

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CABINET OFFIC

RECORD COPY

COPY NO.

61

12th MAY, 1952

CABINET

21

BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Note by the Lord Fresident.

In pursuance of the discussion at the meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, 7th May, (C.C.(52) 50th Conclusions, Minute 5) certain members of the Committee on the British Broadcasting Corporation have consulted further with Government supporters on the policy towards broadcasting embodied in the attached reprint of the White Paper in which Paragraph 7 has been amended in conformity with the Cabinet's decision on that day.

I now submit for the consideration of my colleagues further revisions of paragraphs 7 to 10 which have been made to meet points arising from these consultations.

Privy Council Office, S.W.1.

12th MAY, 1952.

W.

7.

DRAFT WHITE PAPER

Suggested revision of paragraphs 7 - 10 inclusive.

The present Government have come to the conclusion that in the expanding field of television provision should be made to permit some element of competition when the calls on capital resources at present needed for purposes of greater national importance make this feasible.

8.

#

As the policy governing the B.B.C. Charter and Licence is always considered by Parliament on the occasion of renewal, the Government think that Parliament should have a similar opportunity of considering, before the licensing of the first station, the terms and conditions under which competitive television would operate.

9.

It would be necessary to introduce safeguards against possible abuses, and a controlling body would be required for this purpose, for regulating the conduct of the new stations, for exercising a general oversight of the programmes and for advising on appropriate matters; the new stations would not be permitted to engage in political or religious broadcasting. Licences for any new stations would be granted (and, if necessary, withdrawn) by the Postmaster General on

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the advice of this body, subject to reservation by the Government of all

0 rights in time of emergency.