§ 11. Mr. Goldingasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether his interdepartmental committee on the technical aspects of broadcasting has yet reported; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChatawayMy Television Advisory Committee has not yet reported. The Chairman, Sir Robert Cockburn, tells me that he expects to present an interim statement to me soon.
§ Mr. GoldingAt one time the Minister told us that we could expect the report in the new year. Is he now telling us that, following metrication and decimalisation, we are also to get a review of the calendar? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very important subject, and that the quicker the committee reports the better in order that decisions can be made before 1976?
§ Mr. ChatawayThe committee is looking into the technical factors which may be likely to affect broadcasting in the post-1976 period. Therefore, I should have thought it more important that it should do a thorough job and report fully than that it should meet any deadline.