asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action has now been taken towards developing a fourth television channel exclusively for educational and instructional purposes; and if he will make a statement.

I am discussing with my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General a variety of proposals which have been made for experiments in educational broadcasting and which have implications for future educational and broadcasting policies. It is too early yet to make a statement.

What is the reason for this lamentably slow and timid attitude of the Government towards the idea of a fourth television channel devoted entirely to education and instruction? Where are the obstacles? Can the Government not pay more attention to the demands of educationists in this field and less attention to the pressure of the commercial radio lobby?

I think that the educationists in this field would be a little more cautious than the hon. Gentleman has been in his supplementary question. I feel that they would stress the importance of experimentation and a number of different experiments. It is precisely that sort of question which I am seeking to explore with my right hon. Friends.

Why does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman allow, to give one example which has been mentioned frequently in the House, the B.B.C. to go ahead with sound broadcasting programmes on an experimental basis, which it could do tomorrow if given leave?

What the B.B.C. allows is surely a question for my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the experiment which the Independent Television Authority has proposed has been hanging fire for about nine months and that there is a great danger of all the people with an interest in it losing that interest entirely?

I do not think there is much danger of people losing interest. I can certainly promise my hon. Friend that I do not propose to lose interest in it.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the Government have been riding off on the excuse of experimentation for several years? Is he also aware that hundreds of controlled experiments have been taking place in many countries, and that it is now time to take a decision? Will he tell us whether it is "to be" or "not to be" for educational television?

Whether it is better to bear The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, I do not think I can answer the "to be or not to be" question today.