2.
CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY
5. The Government proposed that a consultative body should be set up to ensure that Welsh language programmes on the two channels should not overlap. Mr. Roberts felt that a body of some strength would be needed for this purpose, drawing from the BBC, the IBA and independent producers, and argued that it should be a statutory body which might also be given responsibility for programme quality. The Home Secretary was anxious to avoid setting up any body which might resemble a Quango but agreed that a general requirement to set up consultative machinery could be written into the Bill. It would, however, be extremely difficult to give such a body responsibility for programme quality since this would interfere with the editorial independence of the IBA and BBC. Mr. Roberts accepted this point.
6. There was some discussion of the possibility of introducing a statutory minimum limit on the number of hours to be devoted to Welsh language broadcasts (at present expected to be about 22 hours). Mr. Roberts accepted, however, that the introduction of such a minimum limit might be counter-productive in leading to inflexibility. The meeting concluded.
Private Office
13.9.79.
c.c.
