§ Captain Hewitsonasked the Postmaster-General whether he can make a statement on the future of the wireless relay industry.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe future of wire broadcasting is closely bound up with that of various technical means now available for distributing broadcast programmes. It will therefore be remitted for consideration to the forthcoming Committee of Inquiry on the B.B.C's. Charter referred to by my right hon. Friend the Lord President on 31st January. All the licences held by wireless relay operators can now be terminated at any time subject to 12 months' notice, but the holders are being informed that it is the intention of the Government to allow the licences to run on until the end of 1951. Before that date, the Government will be in possession of the Committee's Report334W and will be able to decide future policy regarding wire broadcasting in the light of the Committee's recommendations.