§ 5. Mr. Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab)What discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues about the provision of digital television in Wales. [155772]
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Hain)I have had regular discussions, because I am keen to see digital coverage right across Wales as soon as possible.
§ Mr. DavidThe Secretary of State will be aware that many people in south Wales, such as those in the Rhymney valley, for example, cannot get Channel 4, five or digital television. Will he do everything possible to make it absolutely certain that Wales will be one of the areas that switch to digital as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. HainI assure my hon. Friend that I join him in that objective because I am keen to see Wales become the first fully digital part of the United Kingdom. 273 Indeed, Greg Dyke, the former director-general, suggested that to me, and we are taking the matter forward.
§ Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire) (LD)The Labour First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, has asked the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
to ensure that those who rely on digital satellite do not need to subscribe to a pay-TV service to receive public servicebroadcasting, and Liberal Democrats agree. Will the Secretary of State commit himself to ensuring that the thousands of Welsh viewers who find themselves in that situation can sign up to the Solus card scheme so that they do not have to subscribe to private broadcasters such as Sky to access public service broadcasting?
§ Mr. HainThe hon. Gentleman has a persuasive case to make, and I want digital television to be extended to his constituency as well. May I take this opportunity to thank him for his efforts in helping to defend the earth from attack from asteroids through the conference that he is organising? He is doing a great service for the House and the people of Great Britain.
§ Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)Is my right hon. Friend aware that in my constituency of Wrexham it is possible to access the BBC2W channel only by subscribing to Sky and Rupert Murdoch? Does he agree that that is a completely unacceptable state of affairs and that the BBC, as a matter of urgency, should supply digital television through an alternative source?
§ Mr. HainI know that the BBC wants to supply digital television through whatever sources it can to whoever they can get it to throughout Wales. I shall certainly ensure that the controller of BBC Wales is aware of my hon. Friend's concerns about that matter.