§ 48. Mr. Goodhartasked the Postmaster-General whether he expects to receive the report of the Pilkington Committee by 1st August, 1961.
§ Mr. BevinsNo, Sir; but, as I told my hon. Friend last week, I am sure that the Committee will report to me just as soon as it can.
§ Mr. GoodhartIf the Pilkington Committee is not likely to report soon, will my right hon. Friend consider asking it for an interim report on the basic question of lineage? Surely the technical experts have thrashed out this matter thoroughly. The delay is holding up technical developments in the whole television field.
§ Mr. BevinsI am loth to ask the Pilkington Committee for interim reports on any phase of the field into which it is looking, but I am equally sure that if the Committee felt it right to make an interim report on its own initiative, say, on line definition, it would not hesitate to do so.
§ Mr. W. R. WilliamsCan the Postmaster-General estimate when the Committee is likely to make its report, in view of the serious Questions which have appeared on the Order Paper today?
§ Mr. BevinsI hope it will be either by the end of 1961 or the early part of 1962. The Committee is getting down to its job in the most remarkable manner.