HC Deb 01 August 1951 vol 491 cc1446-8
44. Miss Irene Ward

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction that is felt on the North-East Coast at the decision to defer the television low-power transmitter at Pontop Pike, which was to serve that part of the country; and whether he will reconsider his decision.

Mr. Ness Edwards

With permission, I will answer this Question and Question No. 55 together.

Miss Ward

On a point of order. I am not satisfied that these Questions should be answered together and would like them answered separately.

Mr. Ness Edwards

I accept the hon. Lady's request. I recognise that the decision has caused disappointment and I regret its necessity, but the postponement of work on this and other low-powered television stations was decided only after a careful review of the requirements of the defence programme. I would add that the Select Committee on Estimates endorsed this decision in the light of the evidence before them. The B.B.C.'s station at Kirk o'Shotts and the radio link were well advanced when it was decided to postpone the low-powered stations.

Miss Ward

In view of the fact that the North-East Coast is not satisfied with that kind of answer, will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation after the Recess to discuss this very important matter?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I have already received a very substantial deputation from North-East Coast Members and have let them have a considered reply on the matter.

Mr. Chetwynd

Whilst regretting the necessity of this decision about the low-power station programme due to the claims of the defence programme, can my right hon. Friend give us two assurances—that when the programme can be resumed, priority will be given in this matter to the North-East Coast area; and that the southern parts of the area will receive satisfactory television reception from the new station at Holme Moss?

Mr. Ness Edwards

With regard to the first part of the supplementary question, I think I can give the assurance that the area will get priority in the low power programme, when it is operated. With regard to the second part of the question, there will be a lot of fringe reception in the southern part of this area.

Miss Ward

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has not received a deputation from the local authorities and that there has been no disclosure of what passed at the deputation between Socialist Members and himself, will the right hon. Gentleman consider receiving a deputation from the local authorities?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I have no objection to receiving a deputation on behalf of the local authorities, but I understand that considerable publicity has been given to the reply which I gave to the North-East Coast Members.

Miss Ward

But I am a North-East Coast Member.

55. Miss Ward

asked the Postmaster-General why it has been decided to continue with the scheme to provide television for Scotland by way of the relay station at Pontop Pike and eliminate an addition to Pontop Pike which would serve the North-East Coast; and if he will ensure equal treatment for both regions.

Mr. Ness Edwards

My answer to this Question is the same as the one I gave to Question No. 44.

Miss Ward

Why does the right hon. Gentleman refer to a deputation of North-East Coast hon. Members received by him when I am a North-East hon. Member and had no notice of the deputation? Will he kindly let me know what was the subject of discussion, what his speech was and what really was the case put forward on behalf of myself as well as of other hon. Members, so that I may send the information on to the local authorities concerned?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I should be glad to let the hon. Lady have a copy, but I should have thought that she would have read all about this in her own newspapers.

Miss Ward

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I was not present at the deputation because I was not invited? Is he also aware that what would be in the newspapers would be an inspired Press report and not the secret information which he gave to my political opponents?

Mr. Ness Edwards

The hon. Lady should not be so suspicious.

Mr. J. Johnson

In view of the hon. Lady's earlier allegations that the deputation consisted wholly of Socialist hon. Members, will my right hon. Friend define what he meant when he spoke about a substantial delegation?

Mr. Chetwynd

Is it not a fact that there are not sufficient Conservative hon. Members for the North-East to make a deputation?

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

This is rather important as a matter of principle. When the Minister tells the House that he received a substantial delegation of hon. Members from the North-East Coast, are we to understand that he meant that it was a party delegation or are we to take it that it was an all-party delegation?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I was not attempting to mislead the House. I was asked to receive a deputation. If the hon. Lady had asked me to receive one, I should have had very great pleasure in doing so.

Mr. Nicholson

Would it not have been more straightforward if the right hon. Gentleman had said "party delegation"?

Mr. Ness Edwards

It is not for me to arrange delegations.