HC Deb 16 December 1968 vol 775 cc300-1W
Mr. Bryan

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what was the average hourly cost of British Broadcasting Corporation radio programmes in the year ended 31st March, 1968;

(2) what was the average hourly cost of educational British Broadcasting Corporation radio programmes in the year ended 31st March, 1968;

(3) what was the average hourly cost of educational broadcasts on BBC1 and BBC2, respectively, in the year ended 31st March, 1968;

(4) what was the average hourly cost of British Broadcasting Corporation television programmes in the year ended 31st March, 1968;

(5) what was the average hourly cost of television programmes on BBC1 in the year ended 31st March, 1968;

(6) what expenditure has so far been incurred by the British Broadcasting Corporation in connection with the local radio experiment.

Mr. Stonehouse

The cost of radio, local radio and television programmes is to be found in the Annual Report and Accounts of the B.B.C. for 1967–68 (Cmnd. 3779) which I presented to Parliament in October last. I understand that the B.B.C. is writing to the hon. Member drawing his attention to the relevant passages. The Corporation tells me, however, that a meaningful assessment of the separate costs of BBC1, BBC2 and educational broadcasts is not feasible.