HC Deb 15 March 1971 vol 813 cc896-7
14. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when a satellite transmitter will be provided at Huntshaw Cross to provide North Devon with 625-line colour.

Mr. Chataway

The I.T.A. is primarily responsible for building the u.h.f. station at Huntshaw Cross, which will be the last of the main high-power stations planned to serve Devon and Cornwall. The Authority cannot yet say when it will come into service, but it will not be before 1974.

Mr. Mills

But will not the Minister agree that this is very unfair on the people of North Devon, who want to enjoy the same facilities as others have? Will he vigorously prod the I.T.A. to get on with this task?

Mr. Chataway

There has to be an order of priority, and I am satisfied that the West Country is not being treated unfairly. It is to have no fewer than three out of its five high-power stations in the first two years of this programme. I am afraid that, inevitably, some stations must come before others.

15. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, in view of the hilly terrain of the West Country, when satellite transmitters will be built by the Independent Television Authority to give adequate cover to many communities in this area.

Mr. Chataway

The Independent Television Authority tells me that it will not be able to decide on the locations of low-power relay stations until main stations in the area are working.

Mr. Mills

But will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are still troublesome pockets in this area where people cannot receive the station of their choice, and that, although Devon is a very beautiful and hilly county, this should not mean that people cannot see certain television programmes, which is what is happening at the moment?

Mr. Chataway

I know that the I.T.A. will press ahead as fast as it can with its u.h.f. programme. It has made clear that the recent reduction in levy will enable it, broadly speaking, to catch up with the B.B.C. in this respect.

Mr. James Johnson

Although Humberside is as flat as a billiard table compared with the West Country, does not the Minister agree that it would be a good thing if the I.T.A. were to establish a satellite transmitter on the north bank of the Humber to enable us to resolve our difficulties vis-à-vis Yorkshire Television and Anglia Television, of which he knows, in relation to the new Belmont transmitter in North Lincolnshire?

Mr. Chataway

That is an involved and contentious issue into which I should be unwise to be drawn at this moment.