MR DAVID PLOWRIGHT AND GRANADA TELEVISION

That this House is angered by the summary removal of Mr David Plowright as Chairman of Granada Television; believes this crass act to be a direct result of Government policy in auctioning television franchises; recognises that this consequence has given the clearest indication yet that the future of independent television will be based upon profit, at the expense of programmes; notes that the recent successful franchise bid by Mr Plowright and his team was part conditional upon him, and his management colleagues, remaining in office until 1st January 1995; and therefore calls upon the Independent Television Commission to intervene.