HC Deb 16 July 1958 vol 591 cc1227-8
30. Mr. Ness Edwards

asked the Postmaster-General if he will publish the advice he has had from the Television Advisory Committee relative to the allocation of further channels in Band III.

Mr. K. Thompson

No, Sir. The Television Advisory Committee has not submitted a formal report on this matter. It did, however, advise my right hon. Friend regarding a number of plans on which channel allocations in Band III might proceed. He has adopted one which will make possible a first coverage in Band III of 98 per cent. and, as he said last week, another Band III television service with substantial national coverage if this were to be decided upon.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Is not the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that his predecessor always published these reports? Is it not highly desirable that the House should have the maximum information about the use of these channels, in view of the interests of those parts of the country which have no television at all?

Mr. Thompson

The right hon. Gentleman may be in danger of falling into an error. I do not think it is true that everything the Advisory Committee has done has been the subject of a report. It is true that two reports some years ago were published. In the opinion of my right hon. Friend, it would be wrong if everything about which the Committee advised him were to be the subject of a report to be published, perhaps to become the centre of a controversy over a wider range than was originally intended.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there will be a very great deal of controversy about the allocation of these channels? As injustice may be done to some parts of the country and as other parts may get very preferential treatment, ought not the House to be in possession of the information?

Mr. Thompson

This is at the heart of a great many controversial matters affecting television. The right hon. Gentleman and the House may be assured that they will be brought into cognisance of the intentions of the Post Office and the industry before too deep a committal is made anywhere.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Will the hon. Gentleman at least put the report in the Library for hon. Members to see?

Mr. Thompson

I will consider whether it is a report which can be put there without it being more misleading than helpful.