HC Deb 20 April 1970 vol 800 cc12-3
27. Mr. Barnett

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will make a statement on television reception in Lancashire.

Mr. Pentland

The reception of their services is primarily the responsibility of the B.B.C. and I.T.A. They tell me that their V.H.F. services are generally well received in Lancashire and that the colour transmissions on U.H.F. of B.B.C. 2 and the duplicated versions of B.B.C. 1 and I.T.V. are already available to more than 90 per cent. of the population of the county.

Mr. Barnett

It appears that my hon. Friend must be misinformed—or the 10 per cent. are all in my constituency. Would he care to look into this matter again and possibly consult his right hon. Friends the Attorney-General and the President of the Board of Trade in order to see whether he has committed an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act by selling television licences to people who cannot obtain the service for which they are paying?

Mr. Pentland

That is an entirely different question. I am aware of the constituency complaint that my hon. Friend has raised with the Ministry. His constituency happens to be outside a relay station area, but we are doing all we can to improve the position.

Mr. Tilney

is not the hon. Member aware that tens of thousands of people on Merseyside are unable to receive B.B.C. 1 in colour?

Mr. Pentland

I recently replied to a question that the hon. Member raised with me concerning the Merseyside area.