Geoffrey Howe

“ If we had to deduct the full net cost of the Welsh language service from the levy on the ITV companies, this would be an unwelcome addition to the PSBR, which I understand your officials put at somewhere in the region of £10 million a year. I recognise that you are under strong political pressure, and I am ready to agree that you should announce a decision to adopt a single channel solution for a trial period. ”

“ I understand it has been suggested to you by a delegation from Wales that, if it can be shown by experience that most Welsh consumers would prefer to revert to our earlier proposal for limited time-compatible Welsh language broadcasting by both BBC and ITV, then it would be right to do so. My strong personal hunch is that most Welsh people will wish to revert. ”