HC Deb 18 April 2000 vol 348 cc810-2
2. Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen, South)

What steps he has taken to ensure that digital transmission is extended to the widest possible audience in Scotland before withdrawal of analogue transmission. [118127]

The Minister of State, Scotland Office (Mr. Brian Wilson)

We will ensure that all those who currently receive the main free-to-air channels on analogue television can receive these channels digitally before analogue transmission ceases. The BBC and the Independent Television Commission, which are jointly responsible for the terrestrial television network, are now considering, in consultation with digital broadcasters, Government and others, how to develop the coverage of digital television across the UK.

Miss Begg

My hon. Friend will be well aware that some parts of Scotland at present do not even receive terrestrial analogue television and that reception is very poor in other areas. Will he reassure me and the people who live in those areas that they will not be forgotten again and left out of the digital revolution?

Mr. Wilson

I am very pleased to give my hon. Friend that assurance. The objective must be to do better than is done at present in terms of coverage. The period of transition can be used to develop the technology, for instance using satellites, to take digital reception into the small pockets that do not at present receive terrestrial television. It is also important to make the point that digital is about more than television, because it will also be increasingly important in education and commerce. It would be a real disadvantage to any area if it did not have access to digital television, quite apart from the inability to receive television pictures. We must try very hard and we must not limit our ambitions to replicate what exists at present. We must do better and we must achieve our aims sooner than the planned period of transition.

Mr. Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale)

Further to that reply, the Minister may be aware that some of my constituents can receive certain channels only from Northern Irish transmitters or from English transmitters, which may not be a problem during party political broadcasts but which certainly upsets people during football matches. Will he make representations to ensure that digital transmissions in Scotland come from Scottish transmitters?

Mr. Wilson

I remember the days when people travelled to places such as the hon. Gentleman's constituency to see football matches when they were denied to the rest of Scotland. The hon. Gentleman's point will be overtaken by technology, because digital will open up more choice. I hope that people in Scotland, and indeed in every part of the United Kingdom, will be able to see programmes that are generated from within Scotland as well as UK-generated programmes. In fact, that is the answer to dilemmas such as which version of "Newsnight" one wants to see. Perhaps I should get a plug in, and suggest that with digital it is possible—and some might say desirable—to see the UK version of the programme for all 45 minutes.

Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)

While I welcome some of the reassurances on the technical side, can the Minister assure the House that those who have to access digital transmissions by satellite will not face additional cost barriers? The Minister mentioned the greater diversity of digital television. Will he ensure that in any switch to digital television lessons are learned from the takeover of Grampian Television about the importance of regional diversity in the future of broadcasting and in its regulation?

Mr. Wilson

Like many other people who are familiar with Grampian Television and who remember the great patriotic battle that was fought for the north and north-east of Scotland to keep a separate channel for those areas, I have looked with some cynicism and regret at what has been done since in terms of selling the Grampian franchise to the Scottish Media Group and the disappearance of much of the distinctive identity of Grampian, not to mention many of the jobs associated with Grampian in both English and Gaelic programming.

I certainly hope that the Independent Television Commission will be vigilant on behalf of those concerned in the north and north-east of Scotland. The spread of digital should be about greater choice, more programmes and more channels, and it must protect regional identity. I hope that digital transmission will give rise to a separate Gaelic channel—something that I know the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mrs. Michie) will approve—and that is one way in which digital television will be able to enhance choice.

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