§ 49. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet received any advice from the Television Advisory Committee on the allocation of further channels in Band III for the provision of a third television programme.
§ Mr. MarplesIt has advised me on the technical point that it is possible to allocate channels in Band III to provide a third television service with substantial 397 national coverage. It does not advise me on who should operate such a service.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsAmong the advice that the right hon. Gentleman has received, does the Advisory Committee suggest that a 100 per cent. coverage is possible with the present two programmes if a third programme is provided on Band III?
§ Mr. MarplesThe Committee did not mention the existing channels. The four channels of Band III which will be available when we move the people at present using them would allow for a coverage of between 95 per cent. and 98 per cent.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe right hon. Gentleman has not got my point. I asked whether or not the use of those four channels by the I.T.A. or the B.B.C. for a third programme would prevent a complete coverage by the other two programmes.
§ Mr. MarplesNothing in respect of the four channels has any bearing upon the other channels.
§ 50. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Postmaster-General What proportion of the population has been provided with two television programmes.
§ Mr. MarplesAt present 75 per cent. of the population can receive both B.B.C. and I.T.A. programmes