§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General (1) to what extent he has recently given consideration to allowing further experiments in the production of coloured television; and whether he will convey to the British Broadcasting Corporation the results of any such recent examination;
(2) whether it is still his policy not to allow any development of coloured television until after the Pilkington Committee has reported;
(3) to what extent research engineers of his Department are working in conjunction with the British Broadcasting Corporation's television engineers on the development of coloured television;
(4) when he will be able to give a clear indication to radio and television retailers and the radio and television industry of the future course of coloured television;
(5) In view of the well-advanced techniques of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the production of coloured television and the frustrations being felt by the television industry awaiting a decision on its future, he will ask the Pilkington Committee to issue an interim report on their findings on the future course for coloured television;
(6) whether he will give further consideration to the British Broadcasting Corporation's general desire to transmit coloured television for a few hours each week, thereby assisting them to gain more practical experience of transmission and reception and also stimulating research within the television industry into coloured television receiver designs.
§ Mr. BevinsOn matters relating to experiments in, and the introduction of, 129W coloured television, I cannot at present add to my reply of the 19th April to the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds). I am hoping to be able to reply soon to the British Broadcasting Corporation. As regards co-operation between Post Office and B.B.C. research engineers in development of coloured television, close contact is, of course, maintained, e.g. through the work of the Technical Sub-Committee of the Television Advisory Committee.