§ 7. Mr. Warbeyasked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the substantial promises of support for a schools television service now forthcoming from local education authorities, she will advise the British Broadcasting Corporation to make full preparations for the launching of the main experiment at the earliest possible date
§ Miss HorsbrughAs I said in reply to the hon. Member's Question on Tuesday, I have not yet been informed of the result of the inquiry sent out by the Association of Education Committees. I am expecting to be consulted by the School Broadcasting Council after it has heard from the Association.
§ Mr. WarbeyYes, but as the right hon. Lady informed me in reply to that other Question that she had seen in the Press that a number of important education authorities have replied favourably to this circular, and that there is support for the idea of a further development of the schools television service, will she press on with the matter so that the B.B.C. has a chance to get on with it before it is faced with the rivalry of commercial television?
§ Miss HorsbrughI have already said that I must await the report from the Association of Education Committees. I think it would be very much better to pay attention to national bodies such as that than to rely altogether on the Press.
§ Brigadier MedlicottIs my right hon. Friend aware that the children's programmes provided by the B.B.C. on both sound and television over a period of years have maintained the highest standards, and that, having this record in mind, any extension of its activities in co-operation with local education authorities is deserving of the warmest encouragement?