§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total amount of the cost of providing an English language radio service for the British Army of the Rhine in each of the last five years; and what are his estimates of this cost for the next three years.
Mr. Robert C. Brown: The costs of British Forces Broadcasting Service radio for the last five years were as follows:
£ 1970–71 220,200 1971–72 250,800 1972–73 285,700 1973–74 399,300 1974–75 500,600 The estimated costs for the next three years are as follows:
119W
£ 1975–76 574,000 1976–77 548,000 1977–78 547,000
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans, if any, have been made to relay an English language television service to Her Majesty's Forces overseas; and what is the estimated cost of any such plans.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownA television service for British forces in Germany, comprising a mix of British television programmes, began transmission on 18th September. This service will become available to most Service men in West Germany as installations are completed. Capital and running costs are estimated at £8 million and £1 million respectively.