§ Mr. Simsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he proposes to make for establishing the Satellite Broadcasting Board.
§ Mr. BrittanUnder the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 the Satellite Broadcasting Board will consist of six members, of whom three are to be appointed from among the governors of the BBC and three from among the members of the IBA. It will be for the board to elect a chairman from among its members. I have decided, after consultation with the BBC and the IBA, that once it is set 771W up the board should consist of the chairmen of the BBC and of the IBA, Sir John Johnston and Mr. Malcolm McAlpine of the BBC and Professor Alexander Cullen and Mr. Michael Caine of the IBA. I have agreed to make these appointments as soon as the relevant provisions of the Act have been brought into force and the board formally constituted. The timing of this depends on potential participants in the DBS project deciding to 772W commit themselves finally to it. I have invited them to submit a further progress report to me before Christmas. In the meantime, I have invited the prospective members of the SBB to meet on a shadow basis to begin preparatory work and to engage in discussions with the potential participants. I understand that Lord Thomson will be taking the chair in the first instance.