We take it for granted now that parliament is televised, but it is a recent phenomenon.
The Lords was televised on a trial basis in January 1985 and the experiment was soon made permanent.
Elected members took longer to be convinced of its virtues. The possibility of a trial broad cast of Commons proceedings was debated and rejected later that year
In 1988 the idea came up again and this time MPs voted in favour, and the experiment began late the following year. Again, it became a permanent arrangement.
But that is not the whole story. Because cameras were allowed in the Lords as early as 1968 and this is a sample of what they saw. The experiment lasted three days but was not taken any further.
You can follow a transcript of the proceedings in this video on parliament's website: search for 'Shoeburyness Range' to find where it begins.
The peer who asks the question on Shoeburyness is Frank Byers, one of the most prominent Liberals of the day. He had been MP for North Dorset between 1945 and 1950, trivia fans may like to note that he is the grandfather of Labour's Lisa Nandy.
The minister who answers him is Edward Shackleton, son of the Antarctic explorer.
An interesting view, at least the bits I've seen. It was a Labour led house, facing a crushing hereditary majority. The one big debate was on the stree\et offences act. This gave rise to one contribution from Tory Peer Lord Feversham that ran "
ReplyDelete§LORD FEVERSHAM My Lords, I must apologise to the noble Baroness, Lady Birk, for introducing yet another "last word but one." I had not intended to speak in this debate, and I have just one question to ask of the noble Lord, Lord Chorley. Does it not occur to him that this Bill harbours untold danger for "hippy" badge-sporters? It is quite possible that the noble Lord might wander into a boutique to buy a tie. If he was in the King's Road, then the boutique might easily supply a free "fun badge" with the purchase, and the badge could well read, "I am free. How about you". Absentmindedly sticking the badge to his lapel, Lord Chorley might then wander out into the street where, under the terms of this Bill, his freedom so brazenly proclaimed on his chest will be ended in a trice."
Good to see my dear old friend Donald Wade sitting on the front bench , Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteIs that Lady Asquith immediately behind Frank Byers ?
Thank you both. I have not watched it all, but I was sure there would be treasures within.
ReplyDeleteThe technical aspects are interesting, that it was possible to record video and sound within the chamber without it being disruptive.
ReplyDelete