Written Answers
Direct Broadcasting By Satellite
asked Her Majesty's Government:When a report of the Home Office study of Direct Broadcasting by Satellite will be published.
On 13th March last year my right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced that he was initiating a study of the options for, and the implications of, direct broadcasting by satellite for the United Kingdom. My right honourable friend is publishing the report of the study today, and copies have been placed in the Library and in the Printed Paper Office.In the foreword to the report my right honourable friend has given an indication of the way in which the Government consider that this complex and important subject might be developed, and he has invited comments on the report by the end of July. I will, with permission, circulate a copy of the foreword in the
Official Report.
Following is the foreword referred to:
"FOREWORD BY THE HOME SECRETARY
"This is the report of the study I commissioned last year into the options for, and implications of, direct broadcasting by satellite (DBS). It has been prepared in the light of comments received from a wide variety of organisations, for whose assistance I am most grateful. The report is not a blueprint for action; it is designed to focus attention on the issues which direct broadcasting by satellite raises. I believe that it will assist Parliament and the public in considering the question of direct broadcasting by satellite for the United Kingdom if I were to give an indication of the way in which the Government thinks this complex subject might be developed.
"There was disagreement among those who submitted comments to the Home Office about whether, and if so when, the UK should embark on DBS. This is not surprising. No other country has experience of an operational DBS system, though some, notably France and West Germany with their Government-backed projects, are actively preparing for or exploring this possibility. It is not, therefore, possible to make confident judgements about how direct broadcasting by satellite would operate in practice; whether viewers would be prepared to install the equipment needed to receive satellite broadcasts in their homes; or the extent to which the organisations concerned would wish to commit themselves to such a major investment for many years ahead. However, a number of organisations told the Home Office that there is a case for embarking on DBS, and that if this were to be done, there would be advantage in making a start as soon as possible.
"The study identifies five strategic options for DBS:
" Option A: a full and early start (for example, five new DBS services starting in, say, 1987);
" Option B: a full but later start (in, say, 1990);
" Option C: a modest but early start (one possibility would be two new DBS services starting perhaps in 1986);
" Option D: a modest later start (in, say, 1990); and
" Option E: no DBS at all, at any rate in the foreseeable future.
"Within Options A to D there are further options defined by reference to such questions as what kinds of services should be provided, who should provide them, and how should they be financed.
"On the industrial side, the aerospace and electronics industries in particular would welcome an early start, with a satellite with two operationsl DBS channels of a power sufficient to broadcasl direct to homes, and with some scope for providing additionat information services. This might provide useful opportunities for these industries to sell this type of technology and equipment abroad. It is suggested in the study that a DBS satellite system might be financed and operated by a separate satellite organisation which would lease channels, or time on a channel, to those wishing to use the system. The Government believes that the private sector may be interested in providing the necessary funds for such a proposition, subject to satisfactory market surveys of the likely public demand for DBS services and to long-term assurances concerning the use of the satellite system. It will be a measure of the real commercial and industrial interest in the project whether private sector finance is forthcoming for this purpose.
"Broadcasting considerations would suggest that if a start with DBS is made it should be modest, that is, limited to one or two television channels; but they do not point conclusively to
whether, and if so when, a start should be made. There are opportunities for providing new services, but also some risks to the range and quality of our existing broadcasting services, particularly at a time when broadcasting is expanding, with the fourth television channel, breakfast-time television, local radio and pilot schemes of subscription cable television.
"The Government believes that a positive approach to the challenge which direct broadcasting by satellite presents is the right one. We need to explore ways of seizing the opportunities and of avoiding the risks this study has identified. We are therefore prepared to give serious consideration to the option for as early a start as possible with satellite broadcasting, with perhaps one or two television channels and possibly other information services. This approach would need to be consistent with, and indeed build on, our existing broadcasting arrangements and institutions. In particular, any new DBS services would need to be subject to the supervision of a broadcasting authority, and to the same programme standards (for example, concerning taste and decency and impartiality) as apply to our existing broadcasting services. We should also have to look for solutions to the problems of financing any new broadcasting services otherwise than by means of Government expenditure and without undermining our existing services which, even with DBS, are likely for many years to remain the main broadcasting services for the majority of the population.
"Major changes in broadcasting are normally preceded by public consultation. The Government will therefore welcome any views on the study and on this indication of the Government's broad approach to satellite broadcasting by the end of July. Comments should be sent to the Assistant Under-Secretary of State, Room 669, Home Office, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT. Further progress with DBS will depend on the outcome of these various consultations and on whether the conditions outlined in this foreword regarding finance and the need to ensure that any plans are consistent with our framework of public service broadcasting can be fulfilled.
(Signed) W. Whitelaw".
May 1981
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1H 9AT
Raymond V Honey Judgment And Prison Rules
asked Her Majesty's Government:What changes are to be made in the Prison Rules following the judgment of the Divisional Court of 7th April 1981 in the case of
Raymond v. Honey, so as to ensure that a prisoner may apply to a court of law for a summons notwithstanding the fact that he may not have ventilated the matters in question through the internal prison complaints procedures; and whether they will confirm that a prisoner may take out a private criminal prosecution without hindrance or threat of punishment.
Governors and wardens have been instructed to comply with the terms of the judgment in Raymond v. Honey.
International Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in view of the importance of the site and its close proximity to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, they will arrange for plans and a model of the proposed new building in Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, to be shown within the Palace of Westminster.
The architect's model of the proposed International Conference Centre was displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall from 28–31st October last year. My right honourable friend will consider the possibility of a further display within the Palace in due course. But in the meantime the noble Lord may wish to note that the model will be included in the "Royal Westminster "exhibition which is to be held at the headquarters of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Great George Street from 21st May to 31st August.
London University: Medical Schools
asked Her Majesty's Government:What are their future plans for the medical schools of London University, and when they intend to implement them.
The organisation of London's medical schools is a matter for the University of London. I understand that the university has recently approved proposals for the reorganisation of the medical schools, and that discussions are now taking place between the university authorities and the schools on their implementation.
Un Special Session On Disarmament, 1982
asked Her Majesty's Government:What views on the Second United Nations Special Session on Disarmament, to be held in 1982, they have submitted to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The United Kingdom's reply to the Secretary-General was printed in the May 1981 issue of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Arms Control and Disarmament Newsletter. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.
Art Treasures: Return To Countries Of Origin
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will initiate a discussion with UNESCO, or adopt other means, to consider how and to what extent art treasures transferred from third world countries in colonial
can be restored to their countries of origin.
The question of the return of art treasures to their countries of origin is already under active consideration with UNESCO. At its twentieth General Conference in 1978, UNESCO established an Inter-governmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation. The United Kingdom participates in the committee's work with observer status. The International Committee's first report was submitted to UNESCO's twenty-first General Conference in Belgrade in August 1980. The next meeting of the Inter-governmental Committee will be in September of this year.
Managua: British Embassy
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to reopen the United Kingdom embassy in Managua, Nicaragua, and if not, why not.
The question of reopening our embassy in Managua remains under consideration.
Arms Supplies To African States
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Ministry of Defence via its subsidiary company International Military Services Limited, or otherwise, has been supplying arms to both sides in conflicts over Mauritania (for example, Algeria and Morocco) and between Tanzania and Uganda.
There is no conflict between Algeria and Morocco over Mauritania, nor is there any conflict at present between Tanzania and Uganda. Although every proposal is subject to careful scrutiny, there is no general embargo on arms sales to any of the four countries mentioned.
International Military Services Limited
asked Her Majesty's Government:With regard to the Ministry of Defence's subsidiary International Military Services Limited,
(a) and (b) The company's auditors are Price Waterhouse and Company. In the years immediately preceding 1978, the accounts complied with the Companies Act subject to the auditors' disclaimers relating to specific uncertainties.As a result of the Iranian revolution the company's accounts for the years 1978 and 1979 contained substantial provisions for probable losses. Because it was not possible to ascertain the extent to which these provisions might prove excessive, or possibly inadequate, inevitably the auditors were unable to express an opinion as to whether the 1978 and 1979 accounts gave a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and consequently whether these accounts complied with the Companies Acts.(
c) The company's accounts for 1980 are expected to be published in a month or two.
( d) The company's accounts for the year ended 31st December 1978 show a loss (before taxation) of £12,440,000, after making full provision for all probable losses resulting from the termination of contracts with the Iranian Government. The comparable figure in the 1979 accounts was a profit (before taxation) of £7,325,000.
( e) The present directors of IMS Limited are:
Sir John Cuckney, MA (Chairman) (Non-executive);
Mr. R. C. Orford, MSc, CPA, CEng, FIEE, FRAeS, European Patent Attorney (Managing Director);
Mr. P. J. Mooney, IPFA, MBCS;
Mr. M. H. S. Muller, MA, CEng, FICE;
Mr. J. M. Sutherland, CEng, FICE, FIStructE, FASCE;
Mr. J. M. Thomas, FCIS, Solictor (Non-Executive; and
Mr. R. Campbell, CEng, FICE (Non-Executive).
( f) None of the present directors has been involved in offences under the Companies Act. No past director has been involved in offences under the Companies Acts in relation to the business of International Military Services Limited, or to the best of the board's knowledge and belief, of any other limited company.
Arms Factories In Iran: Claims
asked Her Majesty's Government:What sums have been claimed from them by British firms such as Wimpey, Laing, Costain and Vickers in respect of contracts in Iran (placed by the Imperial Government of Iran) for an arms factory and a tank-repair workshop; what claims have been agreed or settled; and what is the position concerning any balance of claims.
The contracts for an arms factory and a tank-repair workshop were between International Military Services Limited and the companies mentioned. The question of claims is a matter of commercial confidentiality between the parties involved, but I can say that the claims which were contractually due under the contracts concerned have been settled.
Iranian Ammunition Order: Funds
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are holding £2·5 million of Iranian Government funds in respect of ammunition ordered but not supplied.
Funds have been received in respect of ammunition ordered by the Iranian Government, but in accordance with Government policy in relation to the current hostilities between Iran and Iraq an export licence has not been granted.
Arms Exports: Expenditure
asked Her Majesty's Government:What expenditure in terms of "commission" to third-parties, discount and "consultancy" fees has been required in order to achieve £1,200 million per annum of British arms exports (equivalent to 2½ per cent. of our total exports).
The figure of £1,200 million refers to sales on both a firm-to-Government and Government-to-Government basis. Payment of fees to consultants and agents is a matter of commercial confidentiality between the parties concerned.
El Salvador: Peace Through Negotiations
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they agree with the recent statement by the President of Mexico that peace could only be achieved in E1 Salvador through negotiations and that a military solution to the conflict is not feasible; and what steps they and other nations are taking to bring about the necessary negotiations.
We agree that a political solution is preferable to the continuing conflict, which is unlikely to be resolved militarily. The precise form of such a solution is for the Salvadoreans themselves to decide. Her Majesty's Government do not believe they can contribute at this time. We have no direct information on steps that may be being taken by other nations.House adjourned at three minutes past eleven o'clock.