HC Deb 30 June 1965 vol 715 cc598-9
4. Mr. McBride

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to improve television reception in Hafod and other areas of the constituency of the hon. Member for Swansea, East.

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Joseph Slater)

Improvements in the quality of reception of television services in particular localities are primarily the responsibility of the broadcasting authorities concerned. Both the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. are considering what can be done to improve the coverage of their television services in those parts of South Wales where reception is poor. Neither authority can yet say which areas any additional relay stations would serve.

Mr. McBride

That Answer is extremely disappointing. Is my hon. Friend aware that in my constituency there are many areas with no definite picture, and I have received representations from people in St. Thomas, Hafod, Bonymaen and other parts of the constituency? Will he use his good offices and make representations in the proper quarter for the erection of a booster station on Kilvey Hill in view of the mountainous terrain round about?

Mr. Slater

My hon. Friend's observations will be taken note of by the B.B.C. and the I.T.A., but I must inform him that the information passed to me by the B.B.C. is that reception of B.B.C. Wales on Channel 13 is satisfactory in most parts of Swansea, although reception is poor in a few districts. The programme is estimated by the B.B.C. to be available to about 80 per cent. of the population of the Borough of Swansea. Reception in Swansea of B.B.C.-1 on Channel 5, the programme put out by West of England, is somewhat better than of B.B.C. Wales on Channel 13, except in a few pockets where reception is poor. The I.T.A. says that reception of its services is satisfactory in many parts of Swansea, although in a few districts reception is poor.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Will the Assistant Postmaster-General remember that it is not only in South Wales where there is need for booster stations for B.B.C. and I.T.A. transmissions—

Mr. Speaker

Order. We cannot travel round the country visiting other places. The Question relates to the constituency of the hon. Member for Swansea, East.

Sir Harmar Nicholls

Will the hon. Gentleman impress upon his right hon. Friend the need to see that these fringe areas with poor reception have their bad reception remedied before he accedes to the £6 licence fee which is generally understood to be agreeable and likely to be agreed upon in the not-too-distant future?

Mr. Slater

My right hon. Friend is always prepared to give serious consideration to any idea which may be ventilated for the improvement of services to the general public.