§ 46. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to enable the British Broadcasting Corporation to fulfil its duty to the people in Sutherland and other Highland counties who are denied television because there are not enough of them to make the service pay, in view of the fact that its present policy is at variance with the conception of a nationalised broadcasting service.
§ Mr. MarplesThe B.B.C. has much in mind the needs of the Highlands but it regrets that because of limitations on its capital expenditure and its existing commitments, it does not expect to be able to start any extension of its television service to this area before at least 1960. Resources available for the extension of the television service are not unlimited, and I am sorry to say that there is no prospect of earlier provision.
§ Sir D. RobertsonDoes my right hon. Friend need to plead lack of finance? Has he noticed that a television programme company has made a net profit of £4 million this year?
§ Mr. MarplesThat may be so, but that is not relevant to the capital expenditure of the B.B.C.
§ Sir D. RobertsonDoes not it reveal that there is a considerable amount of money in the industry? Is it not within his powers to get hold of some in order to provide these people with the service to which they are entitled?
§ Mr. MarplesThe Postmaster-General has no power to expropriate people's profits.