§ Lord WINDLESHAMasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will state their policy towards the use of communications satellites for direct broadcasting and other practical applications in the future.
§ Viscount TRENCHARDThere are no plans at present for a United Kingdom direct broadcasting satellite but the Post Office provides and will continue to provide international and maritime communications via international satellite organisations in which it participates. The United Kingdom has three television channels of near national coverage, and the Government has announced its plans for the fourth channel. The Government is, however, well aware of the technical possibilities in these and other fields and is keeping the situation under review.
House adjourned at fourteen minutes past eight o'clock.