25 MARCH 1955, Page 17

Letters to the Editor

A Thousand a Minute R. E. Simms Orde Wingate Leonard Mosley, Arthur Barker Bevanism J. F. 0. Lewis Hard Lines C. Moody Egypt's Anger Y. Osman Anthropophagised M. C. N. D'Arcy

A THOUSAND A MINUTE

SIR,—I was indeed sorry to see from one of your Notes that the Spectator seems to regret the support it gave to the campaign for com- petitive television which was waged by the Popular Television Association, of which the Popular Television Committee is the heir and successor.

The Television Act was by no means per- fect, but it does at least make possible the establishment of a Television Service inde- pendent of the BBC. Competition in this field can do nothing but good, and I do not share the gloomy view that commercial television will not be an economic proposition. My in- formation leads me to believe that advertising support will be forthcoming on a sufficient scale to ensure the success of the new service, There is also no earthly reason why stan- dards should be lowered. It might well be the case that some amendments to the Television Act will ultimately prove necessary in the interests of efficient working, but this is no reason why standards should be lowered.

It is indeed strange that some writers in the press, who pose as the friends of free enter- prise, are so reluctant to trust it in this field of television. It would be most regrettable if the Spectator joined their ranks.—Yours faith- fully,

R. E. SIMMS

Secretary, Popular Television Committee 78 Buckingham Gate, London, SW I