§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General how long he estimates it will be before a colour television service is introduced, whether on 405 or 625 lines; and how much he estimates the delay in the introduction of colour television will cost his department, the British Broadcasting Corporation and British manufacturers in losing the advantage of being first in producing a coloured television service on 625 lines, having in mind the competition which will ensue for overseas markets.
§ Mr. BevinsI cannot give an estimate at this juncture. A decision on line standards should precede the introduction of colour and premature decisions could be very costly without any compensating advantages. As regards exports and imports
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SCHEMES COSTING OVER £250,000 GROSS, COMPLETED FROM 1ST JANUARY, 1958—31ST MARCH, 1961 Schemes Mileages Cost of Physical Construction (a) Cost of Acquiring Land (a) Consulting Engineers' Fees (a) (where applicable) £'000 £'000 £'000 I. MOTORWAYS Ross Spur and By-pass 22½ 6,207 227 92 (b) London-Birmingham St. Albans By-pass, including Aldenham Spur 16½ 6,522 377 Dunchurch By-pass 1¾ 494 28 North of St. Albans By-pass to Crick and Dunchurch 55½ 20,503 1,221 750 Preston By-pass 8½ 4,416 174 Lancaster By-pass 11½ 4,208 161 Stretford-Eccles By-pass (Classified Road scheme) Stage I 3 3,306 90 Stage II 3 1,842 100 I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 10th May to the hon. Member for Openshaw (Mr. W. R. Williams).