HC Deb 16 February 1970 vol 796 cc25-6
38. Mr. Ellis

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he expects local broadcasting services to be established in Bristol.

39. Mr. R. C. Mitchell

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he expects the local broadcasting service to be established in Southampton.

41. Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he expects local radio to open in Manchester; and what area it will cover.

42. Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when the local broadcasting service will be established in Blackburn.

Mr. Pentland

All these stations will open in the latter half of this year. The B.B.C. has not yet decided the opening dates nor the precise areas to be served.

Mr. Ellis

Would my right hon. Friend say whether the staffing needs will be met from the present staff or will extra staff be taken on at Bristol? Or will he write to me and give me more information about the technical aspects of this?

Mr. Pentland

Yes, I can write to my hon. Friend, and, indeed, the B.B.C. will take note of what he has said this afternoon, but the B.B.C. is making sure that staff and equipment are ready, and it also wants to take into account certain local factors before the starting dates for the stations. This will take some time yet.

Mr. Morris

While welcoming my hon. Friend's statement, having regard to the betrayal of those who wanted Manchester to have the first public service local broadcasting stations, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he can at least assure me that those who serve on the Council will at least believe in local public service broadcasting?

Mr. Pentland

Yes, I hope so. That is the intention of the local council.