§ Mrs. Dunwoody asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that, in the light of the British Broadcasting Corporation's plans to establish a subscription television service relying mainly on feature films, the corporation will make a more positive financial contribution to film production in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Mayhew:The financial contribution which the BBC makes towards film production in this country is a matter for the board of governors of the corporation. It is for them to decide how to allocate their resources in the light of their obligations under the corporation's Royal Charter and licence and agreement.
The BBC has made arrangements with one of the recently authorised pilot schemes of subscription television by cable to provide programme material for the subscription service. The corporation has also put forward proposals for two services of direct broadcasting by satellite, one of which would be a subscription service. No decisions have yet been taken on the question of direct broadcasting by satellite for the United Kingdom.