HC Deb 30 April 1973 vol 855 cc775-7
5. Mr. David Steel

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will now announce the membership and the terms of reference of the Government's commission to study broad casting services in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and rural England which was proposed in Command Paper No. 5244.

Sir J. Eden

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 2nd April.—[Vol. 854, c. 1.]

Mr. Steel

When the commission is set up will it be within its terms of reference to consider whether the next development in broadcasting facilities should begin at the end of the country opposite to London and be finalised in London, instead of the other way about, which is what all licence-holders have had to put up with so far?

Sir J. Eden

I will announce the full terms of reference at the same time as I am able to announce the appointment of the chairman.

Mr. Edward Taylor

Will my right hon. Friend make sure that when the membership of the commission is announced it will not include people who are already so busy and occupied in other fields that they do not have time to watch television themselves?

Sir J. Eden

I shall be appointing the best people to conduct the operations of the study group in order to bring conclusions to me as rapidly as possible.

Mr. Ewing

Will the right hon. Gentle man consider examining this problem rather more urgently? Is he aware that there is a great deal of uncertainty in broadcasting circles in these areas mainly because of the Minister's failure so far to set up the commission and name the members to carry out the inquiry?

Sir J. Eden

I need no encouragement to consider the matter urgently. It is with me almost hourly.

Mr. Maclennan

Will the commission consider the problem of reception particularly in remote areas, where it is very bad? In the larger part of my constituency, BBC1 can be received, but nothing else, and even the reception of that programme is appalling. Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that under the present arrangements it is likely that by 1980 the situation will be even worse? There is a great deal of urgency in the matter, and I underline the points made by my hon. Friends.

Sir J. Eden

That is to be one of the main purposes of the study group. It was that point that was highlighted in the recent White Paper.

Rev. Ian Paisley

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that someone from Northern Ireland will be on this commission? Is he aware that in my constituency there is great difficulty in getting good reception on BBC1? We get Scottish Television, but just as we are anxious to press on with STV in our elections, so we should prefer to get BBC1.

Sir J. Eden

The general point made by my hon. Friend will be considered by the study group. I shall announce the membership of the commission just as soon as I am able to do so.

Mr. John Grant

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will receive and publish the findings of the study group before he makes any decision on the allocation of the fourth channel, bearing in mind the possible use of the fourth channel for improving regional coverage?

Sir J. Eden

I have already under taken to bring before Parliament as much information as I am able to do on this and other matters—including the question whether, and if so how, to allocate the fourth channel—before any decisions are taken.