§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will review the 364W progress of viewdata and identify any current problems affecting its progress; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldPrestel, the Post Office viewdata system, has been operating a limited test service in the London area since June of this year, and I understand that the Post Office hopes to extend this service progressively so that by the end of the year there should be some 1,000 to 1,500 users in the London, Birmingham and Norwich areas.
Progress also continues to be made in promoting close co-ordination between the various parties concerned in securing appropriate international standards for viewdata systems. A United Kingdom international viewdata/teletext co-ordination group has recently been established, by the British Radio Equipment Manufacturers Association to further this aim, and my Department has been made a member of that group. We stand ready to help in whatever way we can.
Discussions are also continuing between the Post Office and various Government Departments to ensure that the export prospects of the United Kingdom viewdata system are exploited fully. Both the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany have already purchased the system.