§ 5. Mr. Martenasked the Postmaster-General if he will now consider a British commercial satellite for television transmissions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Edward ShortWe do not at present see sufficient reason to expend the resources necessary for a British project of this nature.
§ Mr. MartenIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my Question was directed not to the present but to the future? In view of the enormous commercial advantages that could accrue to this country in terms of communications, will not the Government come down to earth on this issue of satellites and get on with the job of producing commercial satellites for communications and television?
§ Mr. ShortWhether the hon. Gentleman's Question was directed to the present or the future, it contains the word "now", and I answered it accordingly. He knows that the Post Office is contributing heavily to the global satellite system and that these satellites are being used for telecommunications.