I move:—
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £10 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1960, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (45 & 46 Vict., c. 74; 8 Edw. 7, c. 48; 1 & 2 Geo. 5, c. 26; the Telegraph Acts. 1863 to 1953; No. 45 of 1926; No. 14 of 1940 (secs. 30 and 31); No. 14 of 1942 (sec. 23); No. 17 of 1951; etc.), of certain other Services administered by that Office, and of the Television Advisory Committee.
When the Government decided that a television service should be established under a single public Authority to be set up to control both sound and television broadcasting, it decided also that the arrangements for the provision of buildings, the supply of equipment for television studios and the transmitter station for the Dublin area, and for the acquisition of sites for transmitters outside Dublin should be put in hand immediately. This was to ensure that the proposed new Broadcasting Authority would be in a position to begin television broadcasts, and proceed to provide a national system, as soon as possible.
I set up a small Advisory Committee consisting of persons who will later be invited with others to become members of the Broadcasting Authority, to advise and assist me in arranging these matters. The Committee has been functioning since the 11th September. With its advice and assistance, arrangements are in hand for the provision of the transmitter station and studios in the Dublin area and for the provision of the radio link between them. The acquisition of sites for four transmitting stations outside Dublin is in train.
Television, like telephones, telex and radio, is basically a form of telegraphy, and general consideration of any new development in this field falls within the scope of the Telegraph Acts 1863 to 1953. Doubt is felt, however, whether expenditure in respect of the committee, which is concerned solely with the provision of a television service, comes within the ambit of this year's Vote for Posts and Telegraphs. Accordingly, a Supplementary Estimate is being introduced. Expenditure incurred so far has been met by an advance by the Minister for Finance from the Contingency Fund which it is intended to repay from the Vote for Posts and Telegraphs. A gross provision of £1,000 is being made, but as savings of £990 are available on other Subheads of the Vote, only a nett £10 is required.
The members of the Committee do not receive remuneration for their work but are paid travelling and subsistence expenses. The provision is mainly to cover such expenses. In addition, it will cover miscellaneous expenditure on technical advice, on entertainment, etc., arising out of the work of the Committee.