§ 26. Mr. P. Browneasked the Postmaster-General if he has now received proposals from the British Broadcasting Corporation for improving television in areas remote from main transmitters; and if he will make a further statement.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Miss Mervyn Pike)My right hon. Friend has not received detailed proposals beyond Stage 2 of the B.B.C.'s satellite station plan which he gave to the House on 20th May. The B.B.C. tell us, however, that, in planning Stage 3, they will consider the needs of all towns with poor reception, including those in North Devon.
§ Mr. BrowneIs my hon. Friend aware that, in answer to a Question which I asked the Postmaster-General on 2nd March, I was told that there have been no proposals for doing something about that part of the world and, further, that they were preparing a scheme—so that there was a certain contradiction in that information Will my hon. Friend please press the B.B.C. to do something about this urgently because, as I said at that time, our reception is shockingly bad but we are paying exactly the same sum for our licences as are people who have good reception?
§ Miss PikeWe recognise the difficulties in places such as North Devon, and we are sure that the B.B.C. are taking these matters into consideration.