§ 6. Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consult the Postmaster-General concerning the experience gained relevant to his department's work from the educational television experiment which the Independent Television Authority has authorised between Queen's University, Belfast, and Ulster Television; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir E. BoyleMy right hon. Friend is in close touch with his right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General on questions of educational television, including this proposal for an experiment. As the Postmaster-General said on 19th February in answer to a Question on this subject from my hon. Friend, a comprehensive study is in hand, and this is bound to take a little time.
§ Mr. Stratton MillsDoes my right hon. Friend consider that educational television is worth developing? Does he consider that this particular experiment, which the I.T.A. is supporting financially, could be of value in obtaining further experience?
§ Sir E. BoyleI am aware of the offer made by the I.T.A. to provide funds to meet the capital and operating costs of this experiment. I can only say that an examination of this proposal is going on by the working party of officials from all the interested Departments, and that working party is making this study into these and other proposals as fast as possible.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that we have had 1185 sufficient experience of this to know its great potentialities? Should he not be more positive about it and resist the lack of enthusiasm of the Postmaster-General and say that these experiments should be encouraged?
§ Sir E. BoyleI am aware of the interest in this subject in all parts of the House, but there are a number of technical points which must have full examination.