§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had on extending the deadline on submissions to the committee of inquiry into cable broadcasting; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawI have received representations from the general secretaries of the Trades Union Congress, the Scottish Trades Union Congress, the Post Office Engineering Union and the Association of Broadcasting Staffs about the time scale for the inquiry into cable expansion and broadcasting policy. A number of Scottish Members have now sent me a letter from UNDA Scotland, part of the International Catholic Association for Radio and Television, asking that the inquiry's report should be delayed until 31 December.
I have asked for the inquiry's report by 30 September so that the Government can be in a position to take decisions on these important issues by about the end of this year. The inquiry asked for submissions by 31 May, if possible but is willing, I understand, to consider any further written evidence which is sent to it reasonably soon.