§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretrary of state for the Home Department what steps are being taken to widen and improve the reception of BBC Radio Birmingham.
§ Dr. SummerskillThere 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- 672 ception in certain parts of Birmingham are being considered by the Home Office working party on local radio.
§ Mr. MillerHow 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. SpeakerThe hon. Member must put his comment in the form of a question.
§ Mr. MillerI asked the Minister how she can claim that reception is good.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member was making a statement about how many can receive the broadcasts from the station.
§ Mr. MillerI 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. SummerskillAs 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. LitterickIs 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. SummerskillI 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. EyreIs 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 673 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. SummerskillCertainly, 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 MacKayIs 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. SummerskillI 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.