HC Deb 22 February 1956 vol 549 cc45-6W
98. Mr. Freeth

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state in greater detail the effect of the cut of £1,500,000 in capital investment for broadcasting upon the capital development of the services of the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority.

Dr. Hill

In the case of both the B.B.C. and the I.T.A, the cut in capital investment is of the order of 20 per cent. on the original estimates for 1956–57. The general effect in both cases will be a slowing down of the process of extending and improving existing services. The details are now being worked out by the two bodies. On the subject of the applications which it has received from the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. for consent to provide a second television programme, the Government have decided to defer consideration of any such additional television programme for two years Such a postponement has the advantage that it should be possible by then to make a better assessment of the influence of current technical developments, including colour.