§ 2.40 p.m.
THE DUKE OF ATHOLLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans there are for extending television coverage in the Highlands of Scotland, and whether the V.H.F. bands in those mountainous areas will be permanently retained.]
§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, I apologise for the length of this Answer. The extension of the population coverage attained by their television transmissions is primarily a matter for the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. The coverage attained by B.B.C. 1, transmitted on V.H.F. and on the 405-line definition standard, has virtually reached its practical limit. For the I.T.A.'s service, also transmitted on V.H.F. and 405 lines there is the prospect of a small extension of coverage.
B.B.C. 2, transmitted on U.H.F.—ultrahigh frequency—and 625 lines, will be brought into the Highlands by low-powered stations relaying the signal from the main stations; and, so far, main stations in the vicinity of the Highlands are in service or planned at Durris, Angus, Craigkelly, Dunbarton and Rosemarkie. It is too soon to say what the pattern of relay stations will be. The duplicate transmission of B.B.C. 1 and Independent Television, also on 625 lines, will use the B.B.C. 2 pattern of stations generally. Again, it is too soon to say what frequencies relay stations bringing the B.B.C. 2 and duplicate services to the Highlands would use. In announcing the decision to authorise the B.B.C. and I.T.A. to undertake the duplication on 625 lines of their 405-line services, the then Postmaster General said on February 15 last year that the 405-line transmissions on V.H.F. would continue to go out for as long as was reasonably necessary, and that might mean a number of years.
THE DUKE OF ATHOLLMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord, Lord Bowles, for his extensive Answer, which I much appreciate. At the same time, I should like to ask whether he is 640 aware that there is great worry among some people living in the very remote parts of the Highlands that when B.B.C. 1 is converted from V.H.F. 405 lines to U.H.F. 605 lines, they may no longer be able to receive it, as the U.H.F. lines will not bend to the same extent as the V.H.F. lines? Can the noble Lord give an assurance that the 405 lines service on V.H.F. will be kept going until the 625 lines service U.H.F. covers every single homestead which at the moment is able to receive the V.H.F. service.
§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, the answer to the first part of the noble Duke's question is that the B.B.C. and I.T.A. are, of course, well aware that in general U.H.F. transmissions do not attain the same coverage as comparable V.H.F. transmissions. As I have said, it is too soon to say what relay stations will be needed and what frequencies will be used. Regarding the second part of the question, perhaps the noble Duke and I could have a word together afterwards with one of my advisers, because this matter is rather above my head.
THE DUKE OF ATHOLLMy Lords, does the noble Lord, Lord Bowles, appreciate that, in common with him, it is rather above my head, too, and that I had to have a little tuition on this before I asked the Question?
§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, perhaps the noble Duke would meet me immediately after Questions.