§ 52 and 53. Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Postmaster-General (1) when he estimates that television transmissions will be made available by direct-broadcast synchronism satellites placed in orbit by private or public enterprise in the United Kingdom;
(2) what plans he has to impose restrictions on the receipt of television programmes made available by direct-broadcast satellites; what criteria he will employ in deciding the character of such restrictions; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure that suitable orbital trajectories are reserved for British direct-broadcast satellites.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI am advised that, for the foreseeable future, there is no practical likelihood in the United Kingdom of direct reception in the home of television programmes broadcast or rebroadcast by satellites. The question of 399W imposing restrictions on such reception does not therefore arise.
It is also premature to decide in detail the orbital position of broadcasting satellites. This will be a matter for international discussion in which the United Kingdom will play its full part.