HC Deb 08 July 1953 vol 517 cc1245-7
50. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will ensure that television reception is facilitated in the Western Highlands.

Mr. Gammans

I would refer the noble Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir D. Robertson) on 24th June.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

Does that answer mean that people in the Western Highlands will have to wait an indefinite period before they are likely to get television facilities? Although I appreciate that there are certain difficulties in affording facilities in this area, will my hon. Friend bear this matter in mind and try to get on with the provision of these facilities at a much earlier date?

Mr. Gammans

I should be misleading my hon. Friend if I gave him any reason for believing that there was a chance of television facilities being provided in the Western Highlands within an appreciable period. I hope we do not regard the criterion of a good life as being merely the provision of television facilities.

Mr. Woodburn

Is it technically practicable under existing conditions to broadcast television programmes through such mountainous areas?

Mr. Gammans

It is not technically impossible, but it is extremely expensive.

Major McCallum

Is my hon. Friend aware that the station that is to be erected for Belfast will serve the greater part of the Western Highlands very well?

Mr. Hector Hughes

Will the Assistant Postmaster-General consult the Attorney-General and the Lord Advocate on the constitutional question as to whether the Western Islands are still regarded as being in the United Kingdom? If they are, why not give them parity of treatment with the rest of the United Kingdom?

Mr. Gammans

That does not fall within my province.

51. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will arrange for the Third Programme to be heard throughout the North and West of Scotland.

Mr. Gammans

I regret that this is not possible with the wavelengths at present available to the B.B.C., and the Corporation cannot hold out any hope of being able to make such arrangements for some time to come.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

Does this not indicate a wholly unsatisfactory state of affairs? Does my hon. Friend not think it would be fair that the people living in these areas should pay a proportionately less tax for wireless and television facilities?

Mr. Gammans

I am surprised at anybody getting a television set if they have not already assured themselves that they can get reception.