HC Deb 12 March 1963 vol 673 cc1167-8
30. Mr. Loveys

asked the Postmaster-General when he will take action on paragraph 76 of Command Paper No. 1770, which deals with the need for public reaction to be tested before deciding whether to embark on local sound broadcasting.

Mr. Bevins

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Government's conclusion, recorded in the second White Paper on broadcasting, that local sound broadcasting should not command a high priority in the allocation of national resources. There has been very little public reaction on local sound broadcasting since the issue of the White Papers.

Mr. Loveys

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that the only way to test public reaction would be to allow local sound broadcasting companies to operate for a trial period?

Mr. Bevins

That would be one way, but I am bound to say that since the publication of the White Paper there has been precious little evidence of any public demand for these services.