§ 6. Mr. Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby)What proposals he has for fixing a final date for broadcasting analogue television transmissions. [62131]
§ The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr. Chris Smith)We are considering the responses that we received over the summer to our consultation paper "Television: the Digital Future", which sought views on a range of issues relating to the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. Those responses covered a wide range of views and I shall announce the Government's intentions in taking the issue forward in due course.
§ Mr. MitchellMay I express my hope that my right hon. Friend will leave fixing a date for the end of analogue transmissions until as late as possible and make that date as far away as possible so that the less well off are not forced into what will still be the considerable expense of going digital?
§ Mr. SmithI entirely understand and share my hon. Friend's concern. We made it clear in our consultation paper that analogue television transmissions should not be switched off until digital television is as universally available as analogue currently is. We have only to look across the Atlantic to see the dangers of setting a date with great enthusiasm too early which then has to be reconsidered. We do not want to go that way.
§ Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley)The Secretary of State said that we should wait until digital television is universally available, but the point is whether digital is universally affordable. What assurances can he give the many people who are on fixed incomes and may not be able to afford the new equipment that they will not be disadvantaged by the disappearance of analogue?
§ Mr. SmithWe certainly do not want to engineer a situation in which people who cannot afford to are forced to pay for new equipment to receive digital television. That is a crucial consideration, which we spelt out in the documents that we issued for consultation.