asked the Postmaster-General why, in the light of an assurance given to the House on 7th February, 1966, that there is no censorship of mail to or from Rhodesia a printed slip appeared on an envelope bearing the postmark 12th October, 1966, and addressed to Rhodesia, which the hon. Member for South Dorset has sent to him, indicating that the Post Office in the United Kingdom had opened the envelope for examination.

This letter was opened for normal Customs examination, to which mail to and from all overseas is liable. I repeat the assurances given to the House on 7th February, 1966–[Vol. 724, c. 31]—and on several subsequent occasions, that in this country there has been and is no censorship to and from Rhodesia.

Whatever the purpose, does not the slip state—and I have another with me—that the packet was opened and examined by the Post Office? Would not it have been better, at the time that the Question was asked and answered, to have said that?

There has been a continuing misunderstanding about this matter. It began shortly after the illegal declaration of independence, when letters from Rhodesia arriving here bore the censor's stamp and when some people who received those leters in this country assumed that we had applied the stamp.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will allow sealed plastic containers used as envelopes for printed matter to pay only the cheap rate for postage for printed matter.

No, Sir. We must be able to open printed paper packets easily and so check that their contents are eligible for this cheap-rate service.

Would the hon. Gentleman explain why the Post Office persists with the ridiculous practice of having a cheap rate at all? Surely it would be easier to check that a material is circular matter if one were able to see through the envelope because it is transparent? Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that it would be easier to police this by using this method than by having to open envelopes and inspect them?

We must be able to examine all the contents if we are to verify that the conditions laid down for the service are being met. For the information of the hon. Gentleman, transparent envelopes are not permitted in the international or inland postal services.

asked the Postmaster-General why he has refused to devote one out of the five special issues in this year's stamp programme to the two anniversaries which are to be celebrated in Edinburgh.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, North (Earl of Dalkeith) and to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 30th November.—[Vol. 737, c. 97.]

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that those replies were thoroughly unsatisfactory? Will he say why the issue of one of the three special stamps to do with British flora, British discoveries or British paintings could not have been postponed until next year, so as to allow for the issue of a stamp in favour of the two anniversaries commemorating Edinburgh's contribution to architecture and modern art?

I appreciate the importance of this matter. I had more than 60 suggestions and it is difficult to be objective about this. There will be new regional stamps following the new definitive stamps coming out this year, and I believe that they will prove to be the most beautiful postage stamps ever produced in this country. In addition, there may be some Scottish pictures or pictures commemorating Scottish discoveries or wild flowers in the other sets which the hon. Gentleman mentioned.

asked the Postmaster-General what are his plans for increasing productivity in the postal services.

In co-operation with outside consultants we are making thorough-going studies of methods and procedures and staffing techniques at counters in sorting offices and clerical offices. In addition we have a large-scale programme to mechanise mail handling and sorting processes, which I announced recently.

I welcome that reply, but is my right hon. Friend aware that in London and many other big cities postmen still deliver letters to each separate flat in blocks of flats whereas on the Continent tenants of flats generally have to provide locked letter boxes on the ground floor? Will he circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT an estimate of the improvement in productivity which would result if that practice were adopted in this country?

It would not be possible to assess that with any degree of accuracy. We are, of course, grateful for the cooperation of local authorities and property developers in allowing this sort of thing to be done. It helps a great deal, especially in London where the labour shortage is acute.

How can the right hon. Gentleman say that productivity is being increased when services are being cut and charges are being raised? Are not this Government a Government who get things done to the detriment of the consumer?

We are certainly a Government who get things done. To come back to the Question and away from the generalities, I have announced that we were starting an enormous programme of modernisation. By the mid-1970s, this will be saving the Post Office £10 million a year, which will give us a return of 25 per cent. on our capital.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) why the Giro Directorate's plans, published in the booklet "The National Giro", are in several important respects in conflict with the Motion agreed by this House on 21st July, 1965, and with the White Paper, Command Paper No. 2751, entitled "A Post Office Giro"; and whether he will provide a giro service in accordance with the terms of both the Motion and the White Paper;

The booklet amplified the description in the White Paper of the services to be provided by the Post Office but it did not depart in any material way from the principles of that Paper or of the Motion to which my hon. Friend has referred. We believe it is right to allow Giro account holders to choose whether to receive a statement whenever there is a change in the balance or less frequently.

Can my hon. Friend reconcile the statement in the White Paper that there will be provision of cheap facilities for cash remittances of any amount with the statement in the booklet that the minimum transfer allowed will be 5s?

Market research has shown that there will be a negligible proportion of account holders wishing to transfer individual amounts of less than 5s.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction in Solihull with the proposal to close the New Road sub-post office; and whether he will reconsider his decision in this matter.

My right hon. Friend has reconsidered the matter in the light of the local representations brought to his notice by the hon. and learned Gentleman and others. But he is sorry that he would not be justified in keeping open the sub-post office after the new main post office becomes available only some 500 yards away.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is causing great dissatisfaction to people who have used the sub-post office for many years? How many people does he want to make a protest before he reconsiders his decision?

One always gets some type of protest whenever one seeks to give improved conditions. Some people are not prepared to accept change. I agree that a great deal of concern has been shown about this, but the additional distance people will now have to travel to the new head post office is not very great and, like the sub-post office, the new office will be in the main shopping centre, which people will wish to visit anyway. I do not think that there will be any serious inconvenience.

asked the Postmaster-General what information he has regarding the congestion of telephone lines between Glasgow and London during normal business hours; and what plans he has to improve the situation.

I am aware that there has been some congestion on the lines between London and Glasgow. We expect to provide 100 additional circuits on this route between now and March, which will augment the facilities by 14 per cent.

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for that Answer. Does he accept that a serious problem exists and that many telephone operators in Glasgow are in danger of becoming nervous wrecks as a result of constantly hearing a voice saying, "All lines to London are engaged, please try later"? Does he consider that 100 additional circuits will he enough and has he any further plans?

This is progress, and we are improving the position.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) how many additional lines have been installed between the United Kingdom and the United States of America in the six months from June, 1966, to December, 1966; and how many are planned for the current year up to 31st December, 1967;

Twenty-five additional lines to the United States of America were installed between June and December, 1966, and 27 more are planned for 1967. These increases should meet traffic growth and reduce delays.

The news of these extra lines will be very welcome indeed. Does my hon. Friend appreciate that delays can have a very serious effect on exporters, especially during the peak period, and is he satisfied that these extra lines will go a long way towards meeting present demands?

Yes, Sir. These new lines will improve the position. We now have no fewer than 150 lines between London and the United States of America. The Post Office has little or no control over the delay outside the afternoon period. The average delay during the afternoon period is usually 30 minutes, but most calls are booked in advance and these are generally connected a few minutes before or after the wanted time.

Why is it that when one makes a telephone call from New York to the United Kingdom one is connected within a matter of seconds but that when one makes a call from the United Kingdom to New York it takes considerably longer to get connected?

I do not know from where the hon. Gentleman gets his information. The average delay in the service is similar in both directions.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will explain the delay in the installation of equipment in the Castle Bromwich Telephone Exchange sufficient to meet the anticipated volume of demand by the dates originally promised to existing or future subscribers.

The demand for telephones at Castle Bromwich is extremely high, as a result of housing developments in the area. We have planned a series of equipment and building extensions for the exchange designed to meet this situation. The first of these was delayed by several months and I regret that in consequence dates given in good faith to certain subscribers could not he met.

The Assistant Postmaster-General will know that there is a good deal of exasperation at Castle Bromwich about this. Can he tell the House how many people were given promises which have not been fulfilled and what steps have now been taken to deal with the situation? About the delays in the supply of equipment, who is the contractor from whom it comes?

Taking the last point first, Associated Electrical Industries Limited is the contractor. However, building delays have contributed to the situation. As regards promised dates, the 200 applicants who were originally promised connection by July, 1966, either did not receive it until recently or are still waiting. As for the steps that we are now taking, two extensions are in progress and four more are being programmed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is by no means an uncommon occurrence? In my own constituency of Kidderminster, after promises going back 18 months that new equipment would be available at the Kidderminster Exchange by December, we are now informed that it will be mid-May, by which time 700 people will be waiting to be connected?

I have every sympathy with the hon. Gentleman and with other hon. Members who raise these issues. But 900 equipment contracts have been responsible for the delay.

asked the Postmaster-General what action he proposes to take to prevent tape recording of conversations on party telephones by one party recording the conversations of the other.

The Telephone Regulations forbid the attachment of any device to a telephone installation without my approval. Authority to connect a recording machine to a shared line is given only when the Post Office has the written consent of the partner.

Is the Postmaster-General aware, first, that I am very happy that he got my Question right? I thought, on rereading it, that he might have thought that I was referring to either the Parliamentary Labour Party or to the 1922 Committee.

Order. Question Time is Question Time.

The Postmaster-General must agree that there is a great deal of misuse in this connection and that it has been obvious from various cases reported in the Press that party-line systems can be misused. Does he not think that it would be better if we got rid of party lines altogether and gave everybody separate: telephones?

That is the ultimate objective, but I regret to say that it is still some way off. I share the hon. Gentleman's fears about this. I think that the recent divorce case gave rise to many fears. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary answered a Question on this. It is not by any means a straightforward matter. We are certainly aware of the problem and are studying it.

The right hon. Gentleman said that it is illegal to attach anything to a telephone. Is he not aware that it is quite possible to take a recording of a telephone conversation without attaching anything to a telephone? Is that illegal?

I did not say that it was illegal. I said that it was forbidden by the Telephone Regulations. The weakness of this—let me say this clearly—is that there is no real penalty. The only penalty is for the Post Office to take the phone out, which we tried to do in the recent case—but the gentleman had moved, I understand. That is the weakness of the present situation, but we are looking at this. We are well aware of the other problem mentioned by the hon. Gentleman. I am sure that this is probably becoming an even greater danger in this age of miniaturisation, when it is possible to bug a phone and to bug many other things as well.

asked the Postmaster-General why, at approximately 1·45 p.m. on Sunday, 29th January, it took nearly 20 minutes and more than 200 rings on the telephone at Woldingham 2365 to get the operator to answer; and what action he proposes to take to improve this service.

This was due to an intermittent fault between Woldingham automatic exchange and the switchboard, which had not been detected by routine testing. I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Will the hon. Gentleman note that these intermittent faults are constantly occurring, and will he make sure that, until there is an improvement in the service, there can be no question of increasing telephone rentals?

The circuits at this exchange between Woldingham and the switchboard are systematically tested. The fault was intermittent, as I have said, and it was of a type which was not detectable by the normal testing procedures. With the best will in the world, we cannot prevent occasional failures of this kind.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that telephone subscribers in Shirley were without telephone communication between 11 a.m. Wednesday, 25th January, and 1·30 p.m. on Friday, 27th January, and again on Saturday, 28th January; what was the reason for this breakdown; and what proposals he has to prevent its repetition.

These breakdowns were caused by moisture penetrating a cable following heavy rain and by damage when a trench collapsed during repairs. A new cable has been prov4ed. Cables are being gas pressurised and new sheathing materials introduced to minimise such interruptions.

I am grateful for that explanation, but is the Minister aware that there have been further breakdowns since I put down my Question, and will he take steps to see that the people of Shirley are spared that kind of breakdown?

Yes, Sir. Every precaution is taken. The matter is still under observation by the Department.

asked the Postmaster-General why the 3d. slots in telephone kiosks in some places but not in others are made unusable by the insertion of metal wedges, thus depriving the public of 3d. telephone calls; whether similar 3d. slots elsewhere remain available for public use; and if he will now restore the 3d. slots for public use generally.

All pay-on-answer coin boxes are being modified in this way to carry into effect the decision that from the New Year the minimum charge for any call from these coin boxes would be 6d. The fitting of wedges, which I do not propose to abandon, necessarily takes time, during which a decreasing number of 3d. slots remains usable.

Does my right hon. Friend not realise that this is a very unsatisfactory state of affairs, that it is a gross interference with the rights of British citizens of small means to communicate urgently with each other, and that he should resort to previous practice?

The call boxes were losing £4 million a year, and this is simply a matter of saving money.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made in the system of cheap telephone communications for the elderly, introduced experimentally in Manchester.

Forty pairs of equipment are available. Over 750 cases have been investigated by Manchester Corporation Welfare Department, 90 submitted for trial, and 36 connected successfully. Difficulties have been experienced in finding and arranging suitable partners within the range and technical limitations of the equipment.

While I accept that the system is still at the experimental stage, would my hon. Friend not agree that it would be a very great boon to many elderly and disabled people, and when will he be in a position to say whether the scheme can be extended to other areas?

We are awaiting the conclusion of the experiment, and we hope to have that in our possession shortly. If we think that it is a great success, there will be no reason why it should not be extended.

asked the Postmaster General what representations he has received from shift workers regarding his decision to continue his restriction of the permitted hours of television broadcasting; and what reply he has sent.

asked the Postmaster General what representations he received from commercial television companies prior to the publication of the White Paper on Broadcasting on the question of the extension of broadcasting hours; and why he refused to sanction any such increase in broadcasting time.

The Independent Television Authority as the public corporation responsible for the service has put representations to me on this subject to the effect that my powers to prescribe the amount of broadcasting time should not be used or, failing that, that I should authorise a large increase in the amount. As the White Paper states, the Government do not consider that any general increase will be justified for the present. I have received two letters from shift workers. In reply, I have explained the Government's views as set out in the White Paper.

May I appeal to the right hon. Gentleman to look at this from a viewer's point of view? What are the practical difficulties in allowing more hours of T.V. when the I.T.V. companies are willing to provide them? It one is afraid of representations from the B.B.C., it has, after all, the advantages of two channels and a monopoly in radio.

I would point out that the number of hours broadcasting per week in this country is double that of the next nearest country in Europe and we have the lowest licence in Europe. 1 do not think that there is any case for a general increase at the moment.

Did the right hon. Gentleman consider this on its merits, or was it part of an arrangement come to by his predecessor with the B.B.C. last March? Was part of that proposal, so as to keep the B.B.C. licence steady, that the independent television companies could not increase their hours, despite the fact that there would be no additional cost to the viewer?

The chief factor is the use of resources. When we want to develop the television system—and yesterday I announced the biggest development yet introduced—we have to weigh one thing against another.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will estimate the capital expenditure and running costs of the nine stations which are to be formed for the 12-month experiment in local sound radio.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of the population in those areas to be covered by the proposed experimental local radio stations he estimates will be able to receive their programmes.

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received from universities, chambers of trade and commerce, local councils of churches, art associations and other representative bodies active in the social and cultural life of the community as to their willingness to make a financial contribution to the local sound radio experiment; and how much he estimates that these bodies are willing to pay.

asked the Postmaster-General what discussions he has had with the Council of Churches, the universities and art associations regarding his proposal that they should contribute towards an experiment in local sound radio.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what he estimates will be the additional annual cost to the British Broadcasting Corporation of the proposals contained in the White Paper on Broadcasting;

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received from universities, chambers of trade and commerce, local councils of churches, arts associations, and other representative bodies active in the social and cultural life of the community as to their willingness to make a financial contribution to the local sound radio experiment.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he will invite commercial undertakings to take part in his proposed experiment in local sound radio;

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects to give authority for the setting up of local broadcasting stations; and whether he will bear in mind the claim for Liverpool to be included in those first chosen for this experiment.

asked the Postmaster-General if each of the nine local radio stations will be sited in those areas at present deprived of B.B.C.2 television, the live theatre and the arts.

The capital expenditure on the sound radio proposals in the White Paper is estimated at £300,000. Annual running costs will be about £700,000 by 1968–69, about £500,000 of which will be incurred on the local radio experiment. Part of this will be met by local contributions. Discussions are going on between the B.B.C. and local authorities which are taking soundings of other local bodies and organisations. These inquiries are additional to those I made before the White Paper. Local authorities may contribute in respect of services for which they have responsibilities, and in the provision and conduct of which the local radio station would be of value. These contributions would form part of the expenditure on their services, but there would be no specific subvention for the station as such.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no one in this House has ever heard of 10 Questions on such a wide variety of subjects being taken together? One can only assume that it is defensive tactics after yesterday's humiliation——

Order. Question, please.

The White Paper states that the money will not be raised from rates. Does that mean that the money will be raised from rates, but that that will not be revealed in the rate demand?

What the rate demand reveals is a matter for the local authority. But I imagine that, if the local radio station puts on, for example, an educational programme, part of the education rate will cover the cost of it.

May I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the bodies mentioned in Question No. 16? Would he say how much these bodies have promised to contribute to the scheme? Would he say specifically how many of these bodies were represented at the conference on 27th January held by the B.B.C. to discuss the whole prospects of local sound radio?

I had nothing to do with the conference on 27th January. It was entirely a B.B.C. initiative. I do not know who was there, although I know that the Post Office was represented. As for contributions, I myself had discussions with a wide variety of organisations. I spent some weeks doing little else than interview people. Certainly half the House will be pleased to know that we have had a great many applications—far more than we need—all of whom are prepared to foot the bill and, in many cases, provide premises as well.

As according to the Notice Paper today I appear to represent two constituencies, I assume that under the Prices and Incomes Act I should be justified in asking for a higher salary.

That is a matter of opinion. I know that hon. Gentleman opposite do not want this to succeed but it will succeed and it will be a great success. As I told the House in reply to a previous supplementary question, I interviewed a great many bodies of all kinds, and I saw, among others, the Archbishop of Canterbury. We have really talked to almost everyone concerned in the life of our communities.

It appears from the B.B.C.'s pamphlet that it shares the general scepticism about the right hon. Gentleman's local sources of revenue. Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the B.B.C. is so ill-informed about this?

There is no scepticism on the part of the B.B.C. Yesterday, it showed me the applications that it has had. Let me repeat that a great many towns up and down the country have applied—far more than we need at this stage. In those cases, the whole cost will be forthcoming from the local community. I know that the hon. Gentleman does not want to see this, but that is the truth.

Would the Postmaster-General tell us which local chambers of trade and commerce have signified their willingness to make a financial contribution? If the list is too long, could he circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

No, I cannot tell the hon. Gentleman this because I do not know yet which towns will be selected.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Liverpool and other Merseyside towns are prepared to go ahead with this scheme on the financial lines he has indicated and that this would bring the service to 1½ million people? Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, if Liverpool and that area were chosen, it would be but a fitting reward for the fact that over a number of years it has produced more stars for radio, screen, television, and what-have-you, than any other part of the country?

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that his announcement will be welcomed on this side of the House? Would he also not agree that there is a strong case for siting at least some of these experimental stations in areas which do not at present get full B.B.C. sound and television services, more especially as in those areas people pay the same licence fees?

I do not think that my hon. Friend was present at yesterday's debate, but I said then that I hoped that one of these areas would include a district with a rural element in it.

To assist hon. Members to make up their minds on this very important issue, would the Postmaster-General arrange for hon. Members to hear the excellent experimental local radio programmes which have already been produced and recorded by the B.B.C.?

These are available. I am sure that the B.B.C. would be pleased to allow hon. Members who have not heard them to hear them. We have advanced a good deal since then. I hope that the local radio stations will be a great deal in advance of that.

Do the capital costs which the Postmaster-General mentioned include provisions for studios from which there could be live musical performances? What proportion of running costs, in the Postmaster-General's estimate, would be for the cost of employing musicians in such live performances?

I cannot say what proportion, but the White Paper says that we hope that there will be something in this for local musicians.

Sir Ian Orr-Ewing.

No. 18, Sir.

I called the hon. Gentleman to ask a supplementary question.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thought that if I tried for a supplementary you would then say, "Question No. 18", and that that would close the discussion on a very important issue. That is why I did not rise at that time.

I will not deal with car radios, because I dealt with these in an intervention last night. I am sure that the right answer for the car radio is Radio 247.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that even some of us who voted for the Bill last night, somewhat reluctantly in my own case, would take it ill if, after this experiment had been concluded, Auntie B.B.C. were to be continued in a monopoly position?

Without agreeing with anything my hon. Friend said about the B.B.C., I must tell him that the White Paper makes it quite clear that we reserve our position at the end of the experiment. We are not in any way committed to the B.B.C.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of the programmes to be broadcast by local radio stations will be locally produced material.

The B.B.C. expects that out of about 18 hours broadcasting time at least 4 to 5 hours will consist of locally produced material. There will also be additional hours devoted to locally produced educational and specialist programmes.

The right hon. Gentleman says that the B.B.C. "expects". Will the Corporation lay down that at least this proportion of local affairs will be put over? Otherwise, it will not be a local broadcasting station.

I think that the station manager and the local radio council will be expected to put out material from local sources for about one-third of their time.

Will my right hon. Friend define more closely what he means by locally produced material? Does it mean talk or music, or how would he split it up?

I think that "locally produced material" is fairly explicit. It is material which is produced locally.

Who will decide this sort of question? Will the Postmaster-General give guidance to the B.B.C. on it, or will the B.B.C. decide? Will there be a book of rules, as there is for the I.T.A., for instance, on codes of conduct and that sort of thing, and from where will such rules emanate?

The station manager will have the final editorial decision, but he will have a working partnership with the local radio council.

asked the Postmaster-General what he expects to learn from his proposed experiment in local sound radio.

I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper; and, in particular, to paragraphs 36 and 41.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the independent television programme companies' success in making and exporting colour programmes, he will reconsider his decision and allow them to be transmitted also for United Kingdom viewers.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that many foreigners are enjoying colour films made by British television companies; and when he will remove the restrictions that prevent their being seen by people in this country.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my statement in the House yesterday morning.—[Vol. 741, c. 531.]

I think that the House and the nation will be glad that the right hon. Gentleman was able to make a statement, but I hope that he will not think, because he has given permission for the independents now to spend £30 million on extending a colour service in the UHF area, that it has yet been achieved or that he has given anything gratis to the nation.

Order. The hon. Gentleman must ask questions as other hon. Members do.

Is the Postmaster-General aware of all that which I said in that supplementary question?

This is a Government which gets things done.

I think that the House as a whole will welcome the statement that the right hon. Gentleman made yesterday. Is he aware that speed is of the essence to ensure that the colour films which have been made over a long period of time by many of the contractors in this country and which at the moment are shown to foreigners will be able to be shown to British viewers at the earliest possible moment?

Colour will start in the autumn of this year on B.B.C.2, and for a great part of the country on B.B.C.1 and I.T.V. in 1969.

asked the Postmaster-General what estimates he has made of the extra revenue which will accrue to the British Broadcasting Corporation during 1967–68 as a result of the decision to charge a £5 licence fee for colour television; and what estimate he has made of the approximate cost to the British Broadcasting Corporation of providing a colour television service during the same period.

As the service of colour television on B.B.C.2 will not start until late 1967, the revenue from the supplementary licence fees for colour television is unlikely to be significant during 1967–68, which is the year the hon. Gentle. man asked about. The B.B.C. tells me that its operating expenditure on colour television during that year will be about £500,000.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that he has done his homework in this and that the cost will be covered within the range he has just announced? The Corporation has had enough years to arrive at it. It does not seem to be a satisfactory figure taking into account all that will be involved.

I did not sav that the cost will be covered. I said that the B.B.C.'s costs would be about £500,000 in the year the hon. Gentleman asked about. Clearly, the income at the start will not be significant. It will build up as time passes, especially after the announcement I made yesterday.

Would the Postmaster-General tell us as a matter of policy whether the £5 licence for colour television is to be kept separate from the other licence? In other words, if it more than pays or less than nays, will it be altered? If it makes a profit, will it go into the general funds of the B.B.C.?

It will go into the general funds of the B.B.C. where it will be kept separate. The two licences will be assessed separately. I will give no undertaking about it being altered one way or the other. As the hon. Member for Peterborough (Sir Harmar Nicholls) pointed out, we really do not know yet how this will work out.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will issue directions under the Licence and Agreement and the Television Acts to the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority not to broadcast television programmes for schools on political matters unless they are both factual and balanced.

No, Sir. The broadcasting authorities are already under an obligation to treat controversial subjects with due impartiality.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the numerous complaints of bias and misrepresentation contained in a B.B.C. schools broadcast entitled, "Spotlight—The Choice for Rhodesia"? Will he agree that our children should not be brain-washed by the B.B.C., even if it is on the side of the Government, and will he look into this broadcast if I send him the script?

The hon. Gentleman has made his point. I can only say that it is for the governors of the B.B.C. and the members of the I.T.A. to interpret and apply the obligation to ensure impartiality.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many hon. Members would be much opposed to the Postmaster-General making any representations to these bodies on the political content of educational or any other programmes?

Does my hon. Friend further realise that the only complaints I have ever received about B.B.C. broadcasts to Rhodesia or about Rhodesia in this country have been postmarked "Salisbury" and came from agents of Mr. Smith's régime?

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consult the Government of Eire as to the possibility of the Meteorological Office making available to the British Broadcasting Corporation and independent television in future the weather conditions daily in Eire as is done for the British Isles.

No, Sir. This is a matter of programme content for which the broadcasting authorities are wholly responsible.

That is a very disappointing reply. As we want better relations with the Government of Eire and the present Government are making it difficult for people to go overseas, will the hon. Gentleman realise that tourism in this country is essential and will he make further efforts, perhaps behind the scenes, to try to persuade them to have this programme?

Although I have some sympathy with the hon. Lady's view, I must inform her that it is for the broadcasting authorities to judge the need for broadcasting information even about the weather.

asked the Postmaster-General what increase he envisages in the licence fees in 1968 and 1969.

No increase in the licence fees will be required before 1968. The timing of any increase will be a matter for the Government to decide in due course.

As the Postmaster-General failed to answer my Question No. 31 about financial contributions, and in view of the confusion of the Assistant Postmaster-General last night about who was to pay for the new B.B.C. experimental stations, can we be sure that by 1969 there will not be a much larger sum for the owners of sets to pay?

For the first time, we have a pretty reasonable view of the B.B.C.'s finances for some years ahead. I should make it clear that the major factor in the Corporation's difficulties arose because the 1962 White Paper laid on the B.B.C. a great many obligations to develop its services but the Government of the day were unwilling to face the financial consequences.

asked the Postmaster-General what further action he has taken to discourage the sale of walkie-talkie sets for which licences are unlikely to be issued.

I have recently issued Press and broadcast notices to warn the public against buying the sets which the hon. Gentleman has in mind. I hope also in the near future to ask the House to give me powers to control the import of these sets.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take it that that reply gives great satisfaction and I am glad to know that he is taking responsibility for prohibiting the import of these sets?

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the independent television companies in appointing medical advisers to promote the development of health education for their staffs in accordance with the recommendations contained in the Report of Health Education by the Cohen Committee in 1964.

It is for the broadcasting organisations to decide what staff they should appoint. I suggest, therefore, that my hon. Friend should address his inquiry to the B.B.C. and the I.T.A.

Many of us feel that great opportunities for health education are being lost as a result of this delay. Is there no way by which my hon. Friend could, in consultation with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, promote these and other schemes to improve health education through the services of the B.B.C. and I.T.A.?

I have already said in answer to previous Questions that pro- grammes are a matter for the broadcasting authorities. One would expect them to be aware of the need to keep in touch with public policy on health education, and I have no doubt that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is quite up to date on this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will seek to visit Radio Manx officially to see what lessons can be learnt from that experiment.

No, Sir. But I have had the benefit of a discussion with the chairman of Radio Manx, who came to see me.

Does not the Postmaster-General consider that there is an excellent opportunity for examining how commercial radio can be run in the British Isles, and that here is a case of one being run in a licensed form? Does he not think that it should be closely examined, either by himself or by his senior officers?

I do not know how many times I must say this, but I have examined the experiment of Radio Manx very carefully. I spent a whole afternoon with Mr. Mayer and I have his book, which I read with great care.

Does the Postmaster-General appreciate that if he visited Radio Manx he would come to the conclusion that the lining up of nine B.B.C. stations to show their paces is not an experiment but a sham?

Then the hon. Gentleman's visit to Radio 270 apparently explains his attitude towards the pirate radios.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of the population will he able to receive Radio 247; and whether he is satisfied with the quality of the reception on the 247 metre wavelength.

The B.B.C. expects the popular music programme to be available to about 80 per cent. of the population by day, but to rather less after dark when, regrettably, interference from the continent becomes significant.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that that waveband is also used by Radio Albania, which I understand causes considerable interference, particularly at night, and is he satisfied that that will not be serious?

Radio Albania is becoming quite a serious matter. We are making all the representations we can to try to do something about it.