Colour Television (North-West)

HC Deb 12 March 1973 vol 852 cc877-8

23. Mr. Charles R. Morris

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will now make a statement indicating when BBC television viewers in the North-West may now expect to view the BBC regional programmes transmitted from Manchester in colour.

Sir J. Eden

I have nothing to add to my reply of 8th February to the hon. Member.—[Vol. 850, c. 188.]

Mr. Morris

Has the Minister observed that over 1 million television viewers in the area of Greater Manchester, North-West Yorkshire and North Derbyshire are denied the opportunity of seeing their regional programmes in colour because of a dispute dating back to August last year, which has now developed Gilbertian proportions? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these programmes are filmed in colour and that at 10 minutes to 6 o'clock each evening somebody throws a switch and the viewer sees his picture in black and white? If the BBC has difficulty in persuading its staff to accept its views on this issue, will the Minister use his power to get both sides to agree to an impartial arbitrator to make a decision?

Sir J. Eden

Naturally, I am anxious for the dispute to be resolved quickly. Discussions have been taking place, and I understand that a meeting with the Association of Broadcasting Staff is to be held this week.

Mr. Thorpe

Without in any way detracting from the view of the hon. Member for Manchester, Openshaw (Mr. Charles R. Morris), may I ask the Minister whether he will bear in mind, before settling the problem of some people who cannot see colour programmes, that in other parts of the country, particularly in my constituency, viewers would be very grateful to have programmes in black and white or in colour in a language which they understand, because at peak viewing periods all the television programmes in my constituency are in Welsh?

Sir J. Eden

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that earlier this afternoon I published a White Paper which announced, among other things, the establishment of an independent study of coverage in rural parts of England. No doubt the study will wish to take the right hon. Gentleman's views into account.