HC Deb 30 November 1978 vol 959 cc671-3
Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretrary of state for the Home Department what steps are being taken to widen and improve the reception of BBC Radio Birmingham.

Dr. Summerskill

There is no intention to extend the area over which the BBC's local radio station in Birmingham can be received.

Service in most of the area is good, but possible solutions to the problems of re- ception in certain parts of Birmingham are being considered by the Home Office working party on local radio.

Mr. Miller

How can the Minister say that reception generally is good when 25 per cent. of the area covered by that radio station cannot receive it at all? Nearly £400,000 a year is being spent.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member must put his comment in the form of a question.

Mr. Miller

I asked the Minister how she can claim that reception is good.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member was making a statement about how many can receive the broadcasts from the station.

Mr. Miller

I was about to ask how the Minister can claim that reception is good and how she can justify spending £400,000 when that station cannot be heard over such a large area.

Dr. Summerskill

As I said earlier, it is important to study Birmingham in relation to other parts of the country which also wish to have local radio. Birmingham is not the only place with local radio. The whole country's needs for local radio and frequencies must be considered. That is what is being done by the Home Office working party on local radio.

Mr. Litterick

Is my hon. Friend aware that her answer is almost precisely the same as that which I received three and a half years ago to the same question? Does she agree that the study to which she has referred is taking rather a long time, even by Home Office standards?

Dr. Summerskill

I cannot believe that it is three and a half years since this specific problem was examined. After all, local radio stations are still being set up. A further 18 were announced recently. I can assure all hon. Members who are interested in local radio generally that their areas are being considered by the Home Office working party in the context of a national system of local radio.

Mr. Eyre

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that her reply was disappointing because reception on the south side of Birmingham is very poor? Will she reverse the decision of the noble Lord, the Minister of State, and agree to receive a deputation from Birmingham? The council of the Birmingham BBC local radio is frustrated and its members are considering resignation. I urge the Minister to agree to that request.

Dr. Summerskill

Certainly, I shall be pleased to receive a deputation from Birmingham or anywhere else. It would be helpful if hon. Members waited for the working party to report. At that time we shall have more evidence to discuss.

Mr. Andrew MacKay

Is the Minister aware that BBC Radio Birmingham was set up eight years ago? Is she further aware that during that time we have not been able to receive Radio Birmingham clearly? Is she aware that her answer today will be regarded as a mere fob off, as have all answers in the past eight years?

Dr. Summerskill

I am aware that hon. Members in all parts of the House have their individual problems with particular parts of their areas. That is exactly what is being examined.