§ 33. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Assistant Postmaster-General what progress is being made with the plans to provide television for the people of Aberdeen and the North of Scotland.
§ Mr. GammansAberdeen is one of the five low-powered stations which it was decided to postpone indefinitely and no work will be undertaken there at the present time. But the B.B.C. has gone so 363 far as to carry out tests with a view to finding a site for a television station near Aberdeen.
§ Mr. HughesWhy has it been postponed indefinitely? What prospects are there of Aberdeen ever having a television service?
§ Mr. GammansThe decision to postpone it was taken by the last Government. I can give no idea when work will be put in hand.
§ Mr. John MacLeodWill my hon. Friend make sure that all these people in the rural areas in the north get telephones first before the equipment is used for the purpose of television?
§ Mr. A. WoodburnWould the hon. Gentleman inquire whether the apparatus has already been purchased for the low-powered stations and whether the saving which will eventually be effected will be commensurate with the loss of service which will be experienced by the people in these distant areas?
§ Mr. GammansMy information is that it has not been purchased.