§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General if he will give the names of the organisations which have requested applications to be considered for pay television experiments.
§ Mr. BevinsI should prefer not to do so since I regard the matter as confidential at this stage.
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§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General if he has yet selected all the areas for pay television experiments; what factors are determining their selection; and to what extent he is taking into account the effect pay television experiments will have on other types of entertainment in the areas chosen.
§ Mr. BevinsThe areas for pay television experiments have not yet been settled. A number of factors will determine the selection, including the question of obtaining a representative cross-section of different social groupings. I do not think that the effect of the experiments on other types of entertainment can be estimated in advance.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General what estimate he has now made of the cost to his Department of the proposed pay television experiments.
§ Mr. BevinsI cannot yet add anything to my reply to the hon. Member's Question of 26th February.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General if he will now state the conditions he intends laying down for those organisations which obtain a licence to operate pay television.
§ Mr. BevinsIt will be some time before the terms of the licence are in final form. Meanwhile perhaps the hon. Member would like to read the General Requirements affecting pay television, six copies of which were placed in the Library on 4th March.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General if he will now announce the names of the advisory group who will advise and control the pay television experiments.
§ Mr. BevinsI would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 26th February, 1963. Apart from Departmental officers a statistical expert will be consulted.