§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish his estimates of television advertising revenue and the increase in total advertising necessary to support a viable fifth television channel, satellite television, cable television and channels 3 and 4 plus three new national radio channels and new local radio stations as envisaged in his Broadcasting White Paper; and what consultations he has had with the advertising industry about its own projections of revenue.
§ Mr. RentonMy right hon. Friend does not think it appropriate for him to publish forecasts of the revenue that will arise under the new broadcasting arrangements. I am, however, aware of a number of academic studies undertaken in this area and of a variety of forecasts by the advertising industry. In July 1988, we held a seminar on television advertising expenditure to explore the implications of such studies and forecasts for broadcasting policy. Regular contact is maintained with representatives of the advertising industry.