§ 9. Mr. Ainsleyasked the Postmaster-General if he has yet come to a decision on the site of a satellite television station in Weardale for the north-west Durham area.
§ The Postmaster-General (Mr. Reginald Bevins)The B.B.C. tells me it hopes to start a survey in the Weardale area about the beginning of September. It will, however, take some time to select a site which will give the best coverage, since this is particularly difficult country and a series of tests will need to be made.
§ Mr. AinsleyWill the Postmaster-General bear in mind that the North-East still suffers from a shared sound wavelength and that many of my constituents, together with the constituents of my hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Boyden), are paying an additional fee to private firms to have a television picture? Will he seek to remove these anomalies before he considers any national increase in the licence fee?
§ Mr. BevinsI will certainly bear in mind the considerations the hon. Gentleman has mentioned.
§ Mr. MasonThe right hon. Gentleman is do doubt aware that there are still a number of shadow areas. Has any survey been carried out nationally by the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. to ascertain all the difficulties involved and what early prospects there are of giving shadow areas good reception?
§ Mr. BevinsYes, The B.B.C. and the I.T.A. have this constantly under review. The B.B.C, in particular, is pressing forward with Stages 1, 2 and 3 of its plans for new stations, and eventually Stage 4, to help areas with poor reception.