HC Deb 06 February 1962 vol 653 cc204-5
7. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what action is now being taken to increase the output of television films for teaching English overseas.

Mr. P. Thomas

I have been asked to reply.

Before deciding on the best action to take, we shall wish to consider the outcome of the consultation between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the British Council, which I mentioned in my reply on 30th January.

Mr. Mayhew

There have already been several delays. Does the hon. Gentleman realise that foreign broadcasting, systems which want to obtain their English teaching films here cannot do so and they are going to the United States instead? Will he look into the matter urgently, and also will he decide who is to be responsible for producing these films, since there are too many organisations in the field?

Mr. Thomas

The responsibility at the moment is with the C.O.I. and the British Council. The subject is important but it is still at the experimental stage. I think that the hon. Gentleman himself said on one occasion that some of the experimental films which have been produced were bad. I think he will agree that it would be unwise to spend money on a major programme before ideas on techniques have been unified. We hope that that point is near.

Mr. Fletcher

Is there not an equally great need in these foreign countries where television is growing up not merely to have television films teaching the English language but to have the maximum possible number of television films of all kinds in the English language?

Mr. Thomas

Yes, I agree.