§ 6. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Postmaster-General what time scale he has laid down for the extension of colour television to all television channels and to all parts of Great Britain; for how many hours colour television is to be available on each of the channels in 1970, 1971, and 1972; if, in view of the increasing numbers of shift workers and the tendency for people to keep later hours, he will in the near future allow 24-hour radio and television; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StonehouseColour television will be extended to B.B.C.1 and I.T.A. within the next 12 months on 625 lines. It will be available to 50 per cent. of the population initially, rising to 75 per cent. by the end of 1971.
§ Mr. RobertsIn view of the increasing nocturnal habits of the population, in both work and play, is not there a need for an urgent move towards something approaching 24-hour radio and television? Does not my right hon. Friend accept that the recent suggestion of 1910 some contraction in the radio service is intolerable?
§ Mr. StonehouseThere is another Question on the radio service. On T.V. viewing hours I have expressed the thought that there are very substantial arguments for the extension of hours and the whole question is now under active consideration.
§ Mr. BryanDoes the Postmaster-General recall that this is exactly what he said in Manchester on 16th December and that on that occasion he said that it was cost alone that prevented these extra hours? As I.T.V. is willing to give more hours at no cost to the public and with monetary gain to the Government, can he tell us now what he meant?
§ Mr. StonehouseThe hon. Gentleman is speaking with great experience as a director of Granada. I must tell him, however, that there is no question of there being no cost to the public in commercial T.V. The public has to pay through the cost of the adverts. I ask the hon. Gentleman to bear that in mind. There is a case for considering the extension of viewing hours, and I am now considering it.