§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest estimated cost of running a fourth television channel in Wales providing Welsh language programmes and in addition English language programmes of Welsh interest; and, under the Government's proposals, what proportion of this cost should come from central Government funds.
§ Mr. JohnThe initial capital cost for a fourth television channel in Wales providing Welsh language programmes as envisaged in the Siberry Report (Cmnd 6290) would, at 1976 prices, be of the order of £11 million, together with annual operating expenditure of the order of £7 million. These estimated costs and the precise method of meeting them, including any Government subvention, will be among the matters to be considered in498W the forthcoming talks between officials and the broadcasting authorities to which my right hon Friend referred in the reply he gave to a Question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Anglesey (Mr. Hughes) on 25th February—[Vol. 926, c. 721–22.]. The cost of any English language programmes of Welsh interest on the same channel would be additional, but no estimate is available.