§ 26. Mr. McNamaraasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will make a statement on the future of the Independent Television Authority's transmitting station at Belmont, Lincolnshire.
§ Mr. ChatawayResponsibility for deciding which programmes any particular transmitter shall carry, rests with the I.T.A., and is a matter of contractual arrangement between the Authority and the programme companies. I do not intervene.
§ Mr. McNamaraIs it not interesting to note that one of the first acts in which the Minister refuses to intervene is one which limits the range of free commercial television to my constituents? Is he not aware that we have always had two I.T.V. stations available in the Humberside area? Can he say what sort of market research was done, and why there was not more consultation with local interests before this arbitrary decision, badly affecting my constituents, was taken?
§ Mr. ChatawayThe position is not like that at all. It is a decision for the I.T.A., but it arises because when the change over to colour takes place, with U.H.F., the supply of colour programmes to Humberside will come from Anglia rather than from Yorkshire Television. This is the reason for the change-over.
§ Mr. McNamaraOn a point of order. Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.