§ 90. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Postmaster-General what steps he proposes to take to implement the decision to change television from 405 lines to 625 lines; and what timetable he proposes for the complete change-over.
§ Mr. BevinsMy Television Advisory Committee are at present considering both the method and the timetable for changing the existing television services over to the 625-line standards.
§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Postmaster-General what estimate of the total capital cost, for television transmission and reception, has been made for the complete change-over from 405 lines to 625 lines; and over what period it is proposed to spread the cost.
§ Mr. BevinsThe capital cost of transmission, and how it will be spread, depends on the method of change-over adopted. On this, I am awaiting the advice of my Television Advisory Committee. Subject to this, the capital cost46W for transmitting stations and Post Office links might be of the order of £15 million or £25 million, according to the method of change-over used. These costs would be additional to the costs of providing a network of stations for the B.B.C.'s second programme. The total extra cost to the public of receiving sets will depend upon how many of the different types will be required, and this again will depend on the method and timetable of change-over.