HC Deb 16 December 1959 vol 615 cc1419-20
30 and 31. Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the Postmaster-General (1) the chief remaining technical difficulties on which he bases his refusal, to date, to authorise the British Broadcasting Corporation to spend the money necessary to provide television and very-high-frequency service in the Western Isles;

(2) when he intends to authorise the expenditure by the British Broadcasting Corporation of the money necessary to provide television service in the Western Isles, now that many of the technical and financial difficulties, impeding development in that area, have been overcome by the local radio dealer who is providing television service in Stornoway.

Mr. Bevins

The B.B.C. is pressing on with a very full programme for the provision of more satellite television and V.H.F. sound stations, including four stations for Scotland, although not for the Western Isles. The Corporation has not yet put before me the details of its later plans, but it tells me that it has the needs of the Western Isles very much in mind.

Mr. MacMillan

Is the Postmaster-General aware that the problem has a peculiarly social and human significance in an area which is witnessing a serious drifting away of young people? It is a peculiarly important question in the area. Secondly, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it a little humiliating, both for the Post Office and the B.B.C., that the alleged technical and financial difficulties which have stood in the way over the years are being solved by the enterprise of a small local private firm? Is it not time that we speeded up the satellite programme and brought that area into line with the rest of the North of Scotland?

Mr. Bevins

I agree with the point made by the hon. Member in the early part of his supplementary question, but the point he made in the latter part is rather a different one, in the sense that the radio dealer who is providing this television service in Stornoway is doing it on a relatively limited basis. The difficulty is largely a technical one, but I will undertake to convey the hon. Member's views to the authorities.