The Pilkington Report - gone missing?

[Sydney Grew]

Wishing to consult the Pilkington Report on Broadcasting, I have consulted the inter-net search apparatus, but as far as I see it is nowhere to be found. All I can find is a long debate about it in the Lords:

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1962/jul/18/the-pilkington-report-on-broadcasting

Does any one know where the report itself has got to?

[subcontrabass]

The National Archives page says "This record has not been digitised and cannot be downloaded."

[Gordon]

It must be somewhere SG!! I would think that the BBC library [if it still exists] would have one. OfCom may have inherited the ITC copy. I have a few contacts still who may know or even have one so I'll see what they can do to help. I've just emailed a few.

Is there anything particular you're looking for? It's recommendations were key steps in the UK's broadcasting infrastructure introducing a go ahead for UHF 625 line [BBC2 1964] colour [1969] and the FM network [already started 1958 experimentally] later to be stereo from 1962. The regulatory decision was taken not to develop commercial radio; it had to wait a long time and the pirates in late 60s before change started.

[Gordon]

A colleague who used to teach Media studies used to have a copy until a couple of years ago when she stopped but disposed of it!! She suggested University libraries with Media Depts: Solent, Bournemouth down here in the South but there must be others. Also the BFI and similar. Perhaps the Royal Television Society in London.

[amateur51]

The British Library must have copy as will its country counterparts I imagine but whether it has been digitised by them is anyone's guess.

Perhaps if enough enquiries are made, its digitisation might be hurried up the pile

An enquiry via your MP to DCMS, perhaps?

[Flosshilde]

If my memory is correct Syd lives Down Under, so borrowing a copy from the BL via his local library won't be a possibility. (Nor would an enquirey via his MP)

[Gordon]

Syd only says he's on the coast!! Doesn't say which one. Here is a response from a contact that may be useful:

For some reason which I don't understand, the British Library does not have a copy - at least according to its on-line catalogue. There are however, two copies in the University of Westminster Library, which are held at their Harrow branch. (see below) for which you will need to go to Northwick Park tube station. However, I suggest you call them in advance, in order to ensure access. Alternatively your local library should be able to get them for you from Harrow on Inter-Library Loan.

http://www.westminster.ac.uk/library-and-it/contact-us

The National Archive in Kew also holds a copy (reference HO 255/957).

Select Row Great Britain. Report of the Committee on Broadcasting, 1960 / 1962 384.540941 GRE Harrow


20 Select Row Great Britain. Report of the Committee on Broadcasting, 1960 /

[Flosshilde]

Syd only says he's on the coast!! Doesn't say which one.

I know, but I think the location of the coast came up in another discussion, some time ago.

[Gordon]

Missed that earlier discussion!! I assume that SG has seen this:

http://media-ucn.co.uk/Seminar%20Readings/Soc%202004/cbh%20pilkingtoncmtee.pdf

[Sydney Grew]

Missed that earlier discussion!! I assume that SG has seen this:

http://media-ucn.co.uk/Seminar%20Rea...ngtoncmtee.pdf

No, I have downloaded it just now, thank you. Have not yet read it - will do so this evening - but it appears to be chock-full of interesting points about broadcasting.

And in general, thanks to all the people who responded with help and suggestions. Last week's Literary Supplement has a long and very stimulating article about R.H. Tawney and Richard Hoggart, which draws attention to the fact that Hoggart was one of the Pilkington Committee and "wrote one of the central chapters of the final report." So that is what pricked my interest, and I simply thought I would have a look at it. Not vital; but a little odd that it is not readily available. (This oddness is discussed on page one of the pdf, I see . . .)

[Gordon]

Hoggart was the one who stood up for the public service ethos - esp an antipathy to the US model - but because of ITV poor showing and the perception they were chasing the money made his job easier. In view of later debates and also the current thread here about the CFM intervention that report is of interest.

It was a seminal turning point for future debates about PSB and the role of the BBC. When the report was published in the summer of 1962 the BBC charter would be due for renewal in 1964 [it was renewed this time for 12 years unlike the usual 10] and the ITV licences were due for review [1964] and there was an election due [won by Wilson '64 on "13 years of Tory misrule!"]. The outcome from the report set the tone of regulation and trend for the next several decades. ITV did get a second channel in 1980 but not exactly the one they wanted!!

There was a lot going on then. New technology was in the offing thanks to European convergence on the new 625 line system and streo radio was being researched. Telstar had literally just been launched and had been showing live TV pictures from the US - that shook up the broadcasters because the prospect of satellite TV from America!! It did come but rather later.

[Gordon]

Try this SG:

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?bi=0&bx=on&ds=30&kn=broadcasting&n=200000169&pn=HMSO&recentlyadded=all&sortby=17&sts=t&tn=Report+of+the+committee+on+broadcasting&x=55&y=13&yrh=1962&yrl=1961