§ 7. Mrs. Reesasked the Postermaster-General if he will indicate when the British Broadcasting Corporation will start work on the Cardiff site for the television transmitter.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe B.B.C. are now negotiating for the purchase of the 1333 site at Cardiff, and expect that construction will begin as soon as the pre-contract work has been completed and the plans have been approved. The Corporation expect that this will be before the end of the year. The transmitters have already been ordered.
§ 8. Mrs. Reesasked the Postmaster-General if his Department have considered the methods whereby the link with the Cardiff television transmitter will be provided; and when will work on it be commenced.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe link to the proposed television station at Cardiff will be provided by cable from London. Coaxial cables already being provided along most of the route will to a large extent be available for television.
Mr. C. I. Orr-EwingI asked the right hon. Gentleman on that very point, whether he was going to use centimetre links or coaxial cable, some four months ago, when he asked for a capital grant for the Post Office, and he told me then that he had abandoned the coaxial cable and was going to use centimetre links. Does this mean a change in policy, or was it always intended to use the cable?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe radio link cannot be provided until a much later date. Parts of the coaxial cable are already laid and it was thought best, in the interests of economy, to use that rather than wait until we can get the radio link set up.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsIn providing this link, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the needs of North Wales as well as of South Wales?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThat is another question.
§ Mr. LlewellynCould the right hon. Gentleman confirm whether the site of St. Nicholas has definitely been chosen, and, if so, will he ensure as best he can, that the rural beauty of that village is preserved?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI will bear that in mind, knowing the village.