§ 26. Mr. Hoosonasked the Postmaster-General if he will seek powers to direct the British Broadcasting Corporation and 644 the Independent Television Authority in Wales to co-ordinate their programmes linguistically, so that Welsh language programmes are not appearing on both channels simultaneously and likewise that English programmes do not generally appear simultaneously on both channels.
§ Mr. Edward ShortNo, Sir. I understand that the timing of Welsh language programmes is already co-ordinated to avoid undesirable clashes as far as possible; but that it would not be practicable to avoid the simultaneous presentation of English language programmes.
§ Mr. HoosonWill the Postmaster-General bear in mind that it is extremely annoying to non-Welsh-speaking families to have both channels showing Welsh programmes simultaneously, just as it is annoying to Welsh-speaking families if English programmes are shown simultaneously? I have already given him an example of a simultaneous showing in one language.
§ Mr. ShortI saw the example on 14th February. I cannot pronounce the names of the two programmes, but I know them. The two broadcasting authorities have assured me that they keep in close touch about this. I think that the problem on the occasion to which I have referred was one of congestion due to a party political broadcast and to the Winter Olympics.