Television Reception

HC Deb 12 March 1973 vol 852 cc865-7

3. Mr. Costain

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he is satisfied with the television reception in the Folkestone and Hythe area.

Sir J. Eden

Reception of the VHF services is good but there are a number of small areas where reception of the UHF services is not entirely satisfactory.

Mr. Costain

Will my right hon. Friend advise me what I should tell those of my constituents who complain that when they ring the BBC they get no satisfaction? May I remind him that this complaint is in addition to the complaint about radio interference from taxi services in the Folkestone area? Can he not make a helpful suggestion as to what may be done to improve the service?

Sir J. Eden

The BBC is considering plans for a relay station for Hythe, but little can be done for such areas as Folkestone because frequencies are scarce and suitable sites for relay stations in urban areas are difficult to find. The answer must lie with viewers to install as elaborate receiving equipment as may be necessary for their purposes.

18. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what complaints he has had about television reception in the Hull area of Yorkshire.

Sir J. Eden

I have received no complaints.

Mr. Wall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the IBA intends to deprive Humberside of the privilege of receiving Anglia Television programmes? Has he not had complaints from hon. Members, chambers of commerce and local authorities about this? Is he further aware that the high-handed and bureaucratic action of the IBA will not be tolerated? Will he bring this strong feeling to the notice of the chairman?

Sir J. Eden

I have received complaints about the point my hon. Friend raises. As I think he knows, these have already been brought to the attention of the Chairman of the IBA. Matters of coverage could most certainly be taken into account by the independent study to which I have referred in connection with questions on the White Paper.

Mr. James Johnson

Is the Minister aware that the Humberside area has perfect coverage from the Anglia studios, which is what it wants? I do not challenge him on this point, but will he find out whether there is a single dissentient voice in the whole of eastern England which says that Anglia Television should not continue to serve the people of Humberside and Lincolnshire?

Sir J. Eden

I do not dispute the point which the hon. Gentleman makes. I am merely emphasising that this is the responsibility of the Independent Broadcasting Authority. The independent study which I announced in the White Paper could well look into the question of coverage in this part of the world.

Mr. Jeffrey Archer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Anglia has made a film on this subject, which has been confiscated by the IBA, and that we, as Members of Parliament representing our area, have been told that we may not see it? Is he allowed to see that film?

Sir J. Eden

That is entirely a matter for the IBA.

Mr. Archer

Because of the unsatiscactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.