asked the Prime Minister whether he will authorise experimental closed circuit televising of the proceedings of the House of Commons as a possible prelude to full national coverage.

I have the impression that in the previous Parliament there was not anything like a majority of Members in favour of the televising of our proceedings.

We now have many new Members and we should of course move in accordance with the wishes of Parliament. This question could be discussed through the usual channels and I know that, in addition, my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House would be glad to receive the views of individual hon. Members. So long as there is no indication that the majority of the House want our proceedings televised, I do not think there is any point in conducting experiments.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he agrees with the proposition that it is probable that in the long term this development is inevitable? If he does agree, or even if he does not, will he take steps to devise machinery whereby every Member of the House can express his opinion in writing to the Leader of the House?

It is inevitable when, and only when, this House wants it to be carried out. With regard to consultation, I think that the most convenient thing, apart from discussions through the usual channels, is for any hon. Member who wants to express a view to do so to my right hon. Friend or to the authorities on the other side.

Apart from the views expressed by Members of the House, will the Prime Minister take into account any clear expression of the views of the people of the country as a whole as to whether they want such televised programmes?

I think that they are best expressed through the Members they have elected to this House.