Margaret Thatcher considered bringing advertising to the BBC after becoming Prime Minister, it has been revealed.
Files in the National Archives show that Thatcher suggested the proposal for radio adverts back in September 1979, after the BBC had run a deficit of £50m.
She told Home Secretary Willie Whitelaw that she was "concerned about the extravagance of some... BBC spending".
However, Thatcher had changed her mind about the idea by November that year.
The late Pm had also proposed a tax for every new radio sold, with the money helping finance the BBC.
She also considered a law change that would see people not having to pay the licence fee if they only watched ITV.
Press secretary Bernard Ingham was among those who did not back the plans, writing: "The BBC's reputation worldwide rests in part on its integrity as an independent source of information financed without commercial sponsorship.
"To introduce commerciality could only,...
Files in the National Archives show that Thatcher suggested the proposal for radio adverts back in September 1979, after the BBC had run a deficit of £50m.
She told Home Secretary Willie Whitelaw that she was "concerned about the extravagance of some... BBC spending".
However, Thatcher had changed her mind about the idea by November that year.
The late Pm had also proposed a tax for every new radio sold, with the money helping finance the BBC.
She also considered a law change that would see people not having to pay the licence fee if they only watched ITV.
Press secretary Bernard Ingham was among those who did not back the plans, writing: "The BBC's reputation worldwide rests in part on its integrity as an independent source of information financed without commercial sponsorship.
"To introduce commerciality could only,...
- 12/30/2014
- Digital Spy
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