§ 8. Brigadier Petoasked the Postmaster-General what is the proposed annual expenditure on television this current year and for next year, respectively.
§ Mr. HobsonThe B.B.C.'s annual expenditure on television is a matter for the Corporation. It is estimated that in the current year Post Office expenditure in providing communicating links between television stations will be about £450,000. I cannot yet say how much will be spent next year.
§ Brigadier PetoCan the hon. Gentleman give us any idea how the expenditure of this money will be of benefit to North Devon?
§ Mr. HobsonNot without notice, but in any case it is a question for the British Broadcasting Corporation.
§ 23. Mr. Lambertasked the Postmaster-General how much is being spent on extending the coverage of television in England.
§ Mr. HobsonIt is estimated that in the current year B.B.C. expenditure on extending the coverage of television in England will be, approximately, £215,000. The Post Office will spend £350,000 in providing communicating links for the same purpose.
§ Mr. LambertDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that, in view of the fact that re-armament must make it more difficult to manufacture television sets and to extend the supply of electricity to rural areas, it would be better to spend more money on improving sound broadcasts instead of television?
§ Mr. HobsonThe hon. Gentleman is expressing an opinion.
§ Mr. Peter ThorneycroftDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that a great deal of this expenditure on the development of television is directly competitive with the re-armament programme? Will he ask his right hon. Friend to consider Sir William Haley's estimate of £4,250,000 to be spent on the development of television during the next three years and see that that expenditure is drastically reduced?