§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what decision he has reached on Welsh language programmes on the fourth television channel in Wales in the context of the latest review of public expenditure.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Government remain committed to the project for a fourth television channel in the Welsh language but, in the prevailing economic circumstances, provision cannot at present be made for the necessary expenditure. I do, however, intend to initiate discussions as soon as possible with the broadcasting authorities on how progress might be made on the project so that, once money is available, an immediate start can be made with it. Preparatory work of this kind will, of course, have to take into account any recommendations on the framework of broadcasting generally and the fourth channel in par-722W ticular which may be made in the report of the Annan Committee on the future of broadcasting which I am expecting to receive soon.