asked the Postmaster-General if he will direct the Independent Television Authority, under the Television Act 1964, not to broadcast television programmes containing comments on electoral matters in Northern Ireland.

No. Parliament has vested responsibility for programme content in the broadcasting authorities; and the Government does not intervene. The Authority is, of course, already under a statutory duty to exclude from its programmes statements of its own opinion, and of that of the programme companies, on matters of political or industrial controversy, or on matters relating to current public policy.