§ 26. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications why the frequencies for stereo radio are not to be made available to the North-East of 407 England; and whether he will specify the factors that permit stereo radio to be received in the North-West of England but not in the North-East.
§ Mr. ChatawayNo additional frequencies are needed. The determining factor is the need to provide microwave links to carry stereophonic programmes from the studios to the main transmitting stations; and the route which can bring the service most rapidly to as many people as possible goes through Manchester and the North-West to Glasgow.
§ Dame Irene WardIs my right hon. Friend aware that another bit of policy is being extended to the North-West and not to the North-East? I will not stand for the North-East being put in a different position from the North-West. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that there will be similar treatment for that area? I congratulate the North-West, but I want both areas to be treated properly. My right hon. Friend is coming to the North-East on Friday and I hope that he can deal with the matter when he arrives, when we shall give him a great welcome.
§ Mr. ChatawayI am most grateful to my hon. Friend. The B.B.C. says that it hopes to begin installing the new equipment in the North-East towards the end of 1972.