§ Mr. Galeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the qualification as regards national status for participation in the direct broadcasting by satellite joint project.
§ Mr. BrittanThe Government see the DBS joint project as a means of facilitating the early introduction of a quality British DBS service. The proposals which we shall be placing before the House will therefore provide 323W that the independent sector participants in the joint project should be such as would be qualified to be an IBA contractor for an ITV or DBS franchise under section 20(6) of the Broadcasting Act 1981, which broadly excludes individuals and bodies corporate lacking a British or other EC connection as there defined.