§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether consideration is being given to the encryption system to be adopted for direct broadcasting by satellite in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. WhitelawA small working group has now been set up comprising representatives of the BBC, IBA, manufacturing industry and the Home Office, with the Department of Industry providing the secretariat. The working group's terms of reference are
to consider the encryption system to be adopted for direct broadcasting by satellite in the United Kingdom, taking into account the technical, economic and commercial aspects, including the interface with cable, and the need to ensure that the recommended system meets the requirements of the United Kingdom broadcasters'.The Secretary of State for Industry and I have asked the group to submit a report to us with its recommendations by the end of April.