§ Mr. AllenTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cable companies provide a free feed to educational institutions.
§ Mr. Ian TaylorI have had several discussions with the cable companies about connections to institutions in communities within their franchise areas. I therefore welcome the Cable Communications Association announcement last week that the United Kingdom cable industry has agreed to offer a free standard connection to every school passed by cable networks. This policy will be co-ordinated by the association, which has said that it will also liaise with cable companies, programme providers and educational authorities with regard to programme content. So far, 350 schools have been connected to cable networks.
I referred to these initiatives when I gave evidence to the Trade and Industry Select Committee on 25 January 1995.