HC Deb 19 January 1967 vol 739 cc118-9W
88. Mr. Boston

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the announcement by the Chairman of the Independent Television Authority on 22nd December, 1966, he is satisfied that the new proposals are not contrary to the public interest because of the contractors' shareholdings in newspapers in the area concerned; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Edward Short

My hon. Friend has in mind, I think, that the Authority's decision to revise the present programme company structure of independent television involves the creation, as from the beginning of the next contract period, of an additional programme company area. The composition of the companies applying is, of course, a matter for the Authority to consider when deciding to which of them it will award contracts.