§ 2. Mr. Mayhewasked the Chancellor of of Duchy of Lancaster what is the cost to public funds of promoting the distribution overseas of British books and periodicals, films, sound broadcasting material, and television broadcasting material, respectively.
§ Mr. R. AllanI have been asked to reply.
The estimates for 1960–61 provide £450,000 for promoting the distribution overseas of British books and periodicals, under the new scheme. In addition, it is anticipated that the official information services, the British Broadcasting Corporation and the British Council will distribute overseas material for which the following approximate sums have been allocated:
| £ | |
| Books, newspapers and periodicals | 1,000,000 |
| Films | 400,000 |
| Recorded sound broadcasting material | 400,000 |
| Television material | 200,000 |
§ Mr. MayhewIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these figures suggest that the 4 Government are not taking full advantage of the enormously increased demand for television material overseas? Will he note that much of the television material exported commercially does little or no good in creating a good picture of Britain? What steps will the Chancellor of the Duchy take to encourage the distribution overseas of television material about Britain of a non-commercial kind?
§ Mr. AllanThe hon. Gentleman would not expect me to answer that now. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] I will certainly see that my right hon. Friend does study this problem when he comes back this week.