§ 78. Mr. T. Reidasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why a franchise for broadcasting was recently granted to private firms in Jamaica and Trinidad.
Mr. Creech JonesWhile I think it desirable in principle that broadcasting services in the Colonies should be provided by the Colonial Governments, the Governments mentioned feel unable to meet the heavy capital and recurrent costs involved in operating a broadcasting service. The Government of Trinidad has, therefore, recently given a concession for broadcasting with suitable public safeguards to a private company. The Government of Jamaica has not, in fact, yet granted a concession, but has announced the conditions on which it will consider applications for one.