§ Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how long it has been since the British Broadcasting Corporation applied for planning permission for a very high frequency television transmitter for Shropshire; whether he is aware of the difficulties caused by his delay in making a decision; and when he proposes to announce his decision.
§ Mr. Graham PageAn application was made in November, 1967, to erect a transmitter on the Stiperstones, and in October, 1969, two further applications472W were made to erect it on two different sites on the Wrekin. There were public inquiries into the applications in 1968 and last year. My right hon. Friend is anxious to help in improving television services in this area but there are important environmental factors to consider; for example, one site is on a hill fort ancient monument. My right hon. Friend is in consultation with the corporation and the local planning authority about ways of overcoming the difficulties and has sent my hon. Friend a copy of the letter.