Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Postmaster-General if he will now give some indication as to the result of the two experiments being carried out with regard to pay television services; how many subscribers have been involved in each experiment and are taking the experimental services; what precise steps have been taken to ascertain their reactions; and when he expects to make an announcement about future policy in this field.
§ Mr. Edward ShortIn Southwark and Westminster there are currently some 8,300 subscribers; and in Sheffield some 1,800. Their reaction is indicated by statistics including the average weekly rate of viewing per subscriber, which the operating company is required to supply. A period of two to three years for the experiment was envisaged by the White Paper on Broadcasting (Cmnd. 1893, December, 1962) and on this footing, the experiment could continue for more than another year; but, at the request of the operating company, I propose to review it in the near future.