HC Deb 18 April 1983 vol 41 cc15-6W
18. Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he has had with other European Governments about standards for direct broadcasting by satellite using multiflex analogue components MAC C as recommended by the Part committee; how the British preference for a structure map multiflex can be resolved with the European Broadcasting Union's preference for the packet multiflex for sound; and what decisions have been reached.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

Following visits by a team led by Sir Anthony Part and the emergence from the European Broadcasting Union's technical committee of new proposals for a sound transmission system based on the French packet multiplex system and in an endeavour to achieve a common European standard, the Government have decided to postpone a decision on a United Kingdom DBS sound standard until after the meeting of the EBU's technical committee in Copenhagen taking place this week.