HC Deb 12 November 1984 vol 67 cc69-70W
Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to establish the new Cable Authority.

Mr. Brittan

In August I announced the appointment of Mr. Richard Burton as chairman of the Cable Authority. I have now appointed Professor James Ring to be deputy chairman and as members Mr. Paul Johnson, Mrs. Elizabeth MacDonald-Brown and Mr. Peter Paine. Further appointments will be announced in due course, but I propose now to make an order bringing into force the relevant provisions of the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 so that the authority, comprising the above members, can be formally constituted very shortly. It is intended that the authority will assume its full powers under the Act in a few weeks' time.