§ 20. Mr. Woodburnasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether his Department or the British Broadcasting Corporation were represented at the recent demonstration of colour television in the United States; whether he will give an assurance that British developments in this medium are not being held up by reasons of economy; and whether he will make a statement on our prospects.
§ Mr. GammansRepresentatives of the B.B.C. attended the recent demonstration in New York of a possible system for colour television. The British radio industry and the B.B.C. are carrying out researches in this field. Colour television is bound to be very expensive, especially in receiving sets, and I cannot say when it is likely to be introduced here.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the Minister keep in mind that this may become one of the very important exports in the future; and, whatever economies may be imposed in the extension of the service at the moment, there ought not to be false economies in research and development?
§ Mr. GammansI fully agree with the right hon. Gentleman. It is a very useful possible source of export, but I must warn the House that a television set which will receive colour will probably cost anything up to £300.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeWill my hon. Friend draw the moral from this Question, that the only way in which this 2779 country can retain the lead in inventiveness in television is to render the television service in this country as competitive as it is in the United States of America?