§ 4. Mr. Goldingasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what major investment decisions are under consideration by his Department at the present time; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Sir J. Edeni am currently engaged in the annual review of the Post Office's investment programme for the next five years. I am also considering Post Office proposals for the modernisation of large local telephone exchanges.
§ Mr. GoldingIs the Minister aware that the current discussion on cable television clearly shows the need for a national telecommunications policy and the introduction into Britain of an integrated telecommunications network?
§ Sir J. EdenMy studies on cable television are leading me to take account of the views which have been put forward in a recently published document by the Cable Television Association. I will then seek the views of many other interested parties, including the broadcasting authorities and the Press. At this stage it is early to talk about the development of a national cable television system. It is more likely that this will grow naturally out of the extension of local television broadcasting.
§ Mr. LiptonDo the major investment decisions envisage the certainty that postal charges will go up in the very near future?
§ Sir J. EdenNo. The whole question of the Post Office's investment plans are currently being studied, and the nature of those decisions will appear in the White Paper on Public Expenditure later this year.