§ 2. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Assistant Postmaster-General what progress he has made towards providing North-East Scotland with television by the make-shift arrangements which he mentioned in this House on 22nd October, 1952, or by other means.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. David Gammans)I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the general statement about television which I made on 8th December.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not a fact that a booster station is being provided for Brighton, which already has television facilities? If that is so, why cannot such a station be provided for Aberdeen? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that expert opinion says that it can be done, will he seek expert advice upon the matter?
§ Mr. GammansThere is another Question on this matter to be answered later today, but, in reply to the hon. and learned Member, I would point out that what is being provided for Brighton is a booster station, while what would be required for Aberdeen is at least one, and possibly two, relay stations as well.
§ Lady TweedsmuirCan my hon. Friend explain how it was that in his statement he said that the Government 176 are not prepared to allow capital expenditure both on equipment and on television sets? Now, as apparently there has been this change of policy for Brighton, why cannot my hon. Friend extend such a service to Aberdeen, which has a smaller population?
§ Mr. GammansThe explanation is that in Brighton there are already more than 4,400 licences, whereas in Aberdeen there are only 35.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not a fact that if Aberdeen were given facilities there would be a greater number of licences there? Why give more licences and facilities to Brighton, which already has facilities, and not to Aberdeen, which has none?
§ Mr. GammansAs I explained in my statement on 8th December, if we did that it would mean extending the number of television sets which would actually be bought.