§ 25. Miss Herbisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he had and with whom, before granting permission to the Independent Television Authority to erect a television mast 750 feet high at Blackhill, Lanarkshire.
§ Mr. J. StuartPlanning permission under the planning Acts is a matter for the local planning authority, and I am informed that permission for the television mast has been granted by Lanark County Council.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the Secretary of State aware that there is great criticism of the erection of this television mast, particularly at a time when the Government are curtailing so greatly expenditure in the public building sector? Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that the people in this area would rather have seen this money spent on factory building, since they realise that very soon this mast will be completely derelict? Could not the Secretary of State, even at this late stage, do something to stop the building of this new television mast, which is a short distance from the present one?
§ Mr. StuartAs I have said, I think it is a matter for the local planning authority. I will certainly look into the matter, but I do not think that I am concerned.
§ Mr. WoodburnAs a member of the Cabinet, is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is technically possible, I understand, for this programme to be broadcast from the B.B.C. mast already in existence? How does he reconcile a duplication of this kind on behalf of I.T.A. with the need for economy?
§ Mr. StuartI was not asked to reconcile it with economy. I am afraid I do not know enough about the subject to say whether the transmission could be made from the B.B.C. mast.