§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what will be the effect of the proposed multiplexed analogue components directive upon standards developed for British satellite broadcasting, if adopted; what is Her Majesty's Government's attitude to such a directive; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 12 March 1991]: The European Commission is currently consulting interested parties on how to follow up directive 86/529/EEC which imposes the MAC family of standards on high-power direct-to-home satellite broadcasts. This directive expires at the end of 1991. The Government will take a position when the Commission proposals become known. The Government believe in general that any follow-up directive should preserve freedom of choice for present broadcasters and viewers to invest in new technology when the time is right for them. The Government are not in favour of extending an exclusive standard to all satellite transmission.