§ 8. Mr. Mayhewasked the Postmaster-General on what date instructions were given to the Television Advisory Committee to study and report on future technical standards and colour; and how often the Committee has met for this purpose since that date.
§ Mr. BevinsIn the first place during March, 1956, but certain questions which had been put to it were elaborated in 1959. The main Committee has met six times; the Technical Sub-Committee has met twenty-one times.
§ Mr. MayhewIs not four years a preposterous time to take for this report, however complicated the subject? Six meetings do not seem very many. What is the reason for the delay and what is the Minister doing about it?
§ Mr. BevinsThe reason for the delay is that the questions which are being considered by the Television Advisory Committee are immensely complicated. The bulk of the work has been carried out by the Technical Sub-Committee, of which the chairman of the main Committee is a member. I appreciate that the Committee has been a long time, but these are difficult questions. As I said to the House last week, however, I hope to have the report next month.