HC Deb 18 May 1966 vol 728 cc1309-10
57. Mr. Jopling

asked the Postmaster-General what progress he is making in the establishment of a colour television system in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Benn

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made in the House on 3rd March.

Mr. Jopling

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what plans he has for the independent television companies to which he did not refer on that occasion?

Mr. Benn

I simply said at the time that we accepted the Television Advisory Committee's recommendation that colour should be on 625 lines only, and that this was without prejudice to the other questions, which are part of a much wider problem.

Mr. Bryan

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that the statement of 3rd March was made in something of a rush to get it done in time for the election? Now that he has more time to consider this, can he promise a larger allocation of hours of colour television than he could then?

Mr. Benn

It was not for me, as the hon. Gentleman knows, to promise how additional hours on television should be used. That is for the B.B.C. to do. I gave the number of hours for which programme material had to be prepared. The total number will be greater. The hon. Member cannot grumble if we come out early with a decision.