§ 10. Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will encourage local authorities to erect communal television aerials in order to reduce the number of individual aerials in those parts of their areas where population densities are extremely high or where flats are provided in considerable numbers.
§ Mr. ChatawayI recognise that there are strong amenity arguments for the use of communal television aerials. My powers under the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949, are, however, confined to securing that no one piece of wireless telegraphy apparatus is a source of harmful interference to another.
§ Mr. HardyI recognise the need for supervision within the terms of the Act to which the right hon. Gentleman referred, but does he agree that local 700 authorities should be encouraged to provide communal aerials in areas of dense population? Will he take steps to ensure that these people, particularly in urban district councils like Rawmarsh, in my constituency, are not caused the considerable expense and fuss that occurs in this matter?
§ Mr. ChatawayI believe that the charges made for licences are reasonable. As for the licences from my Ministry, the charges are designed simply to meet the costs involved. They do not amount to more than a few pence per year per subscriber.