§ 8. Mr. G. Darlingasked the Postmaster-General whether he will examine the cost and all the technical considerations involved in erecting a transmitter in the City of Sheffield for local diffusion of all present and future television services operating in the Yorkshire area.
Dr. HillNo, Sir. The question of deciding the best means of overcoming reception difficulties at Sheffield, which the hon. Member no doubt has in mind, is a matter for the broadcasting authorities. At present, they are fully engaged on their main development programmes.
§ Mr. DarlingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are about 150,000 television licence-holders in this area and that many of them cannot get proper reception? The right hon. Gentleman is, therefore, taking licence money, so to speak, under false pretences. Can this matter be examined? The information would be useful not only to deal with this situation in Sheffield but also for television development on this local basis in other areas.
Dr. HillI will convey what the hon. Gentleman says to the broadcasting authorities, but, as he knows better than most, in the Sheffield area to which he refers there are some hollows that make transmission exceedingly difficult. It is geography that has to be faced in this case.