§ Mr. Brintonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the negotiations with the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Independent Television Companies Association and the Independent Broadcasting Authority on providing a direct broadcasting by satellite service includes the possibility of services being provided by other independent companies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThe BBC, the IBA and ITCA have been discussing possible forms of collaboration in DBS, but it is too early to say whether this offers a way forward. Should a joint project mature, we intend that it should be open to other participants in addition to the BBC and ITV companies.