§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Postmaster-General if he will state his plans for improving radio and television reception and postal services in and to North-East Scotland.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe improvement of television reception is primarily the responsibility of the broadcasting authorities. The B.B.C. tells me that it has no plans for building more stations to transmit B.B.C.1 on Very High Frequencies with 405-line definition. The I.T.A. is building one more of these stations at Aviemore. The duplicated services of B.B.C.1 and independent television transmitted on Ultra High Frequencies with 625-line definition, and containing programmes in colour, are expected to start from Durris in 1971. They should achieve the same coverage as the existing transmission, also on U.H.F., of B.B.C.2 from that station. It is too soon to say when the three U.H.F. services will be further extended in North-East Scotland. The postal services within and to North-East Scotland are generally satisfactory but if my hon. and learned Friend knows of any delays and will let me have the details, I will gladly look into the matter.