§ 39. Mr. David Steelasked the Postmaster-General when B.B.C.2 services will be available to licence holders in the counties of Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterThe B.B.C., which is primarily responsible for the provision of their services, tells me that B.B.C.2 will be available to about 40,000 people in these counties when its station at Selkirk opens in 1972.
§ Mr. SteelBut is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in the meantime, my constitutents will continue to pay the increased licence fee for a service which they do not receive? Does he know that there is a B.B.C.2 programme called "The Borderers", which the present-day Borderers are unable to see?
§ Mr. SlaterThe hon. Member's observation applies to everyone who cannot receive B.B.C.2. This can happen in my own area. But people have still to meet the licence fee. I would hope that it is possible to bring this in much earlier than the B.B.C. have said, but they do say 1972.