§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether, in view of the representations made to him by members of the broadcasting profession that an inquiry should take place into broadcasting, he will make a statement about the future of Lord Annan's Committee before the Summer Adjournment.
§ Mr. ChatawayI am not persuaded of the value of launching another major inquiry into broadcasting at this time. I propose to invite my Television Advisory Committee to undertake a study designed to identify the main technical questions and to report to me early in the new year. This will provide the basis for a more informed public discussion of the issues. I will then consider whether an inquiry into the structure of broadcasting after 1976 is desirable and, if so, what form it should take. The Government are grateful to Lord Annan for undertaking to serve as chairman of a committee of inquiry into broadcasting, but in the circumstances we have decided to release him from this commitment.