§ 18. Mr. Hugh Fraserasked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the negotiations with the Federal Communications Commission of America for a reduction in the tariffs charged by the Early Bird satellite to European broadcasting systems.
§ Mr. BennCharges for the American half of trans-Atlantic television transmissions are settled by the United States authorities. Charges for the European half are settled jointly by the European telecommunications authorities, and negotiations with a view to a reduction are currently in progress.
§ Mr. FraserIs the Postmaster-General in line with the other European Powers in these negotiations?
§ Mr. BennWe are a part of the European side of this arrangement and negotiations are going on, but it is very costly to clear a satellite of all telephone communications in time to line it up for a television transmission. I could not accept that the charges are unreasonably high.