§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General (1) which areas are being considered for pay-television experiments; for what reasons they have been selected for consideration; and to what extent in each area his Department will assist with the experiments;
(2) if he has now considered the licence applications for pay-television experiments; and if he will list the organisations to whom he is offering licences.
§ Mr. BevinsI am aiming at a representative cross-section of households. To that end I hope to include both London, and other towns in different parts of the country. Selection may be somewhat limited as most applicants look for existing relay distribution networks as a basis for their operations. Discussions with applicants about possible localities are still proceeding, and I will make an announcement as soon as I can.
Oversight of the experiment will be from Post Office Headquarters, which may ask local post office officials to assist.
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§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General whether it is the intention of his Department or the pay-television licensee to ascertain the viewing habits of sample households in areas where pay television experiments are to take place.
§ Mr. BevinsI have this point very much in mind, and the exact form of the statistics required, and the way they will be obtained, are now being discussed with applicants.