§ Mr. Delwyn Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for licences for the Independent Broadcasting Authority's projected 70 new relay transmitters planned for the coming year are for sites in Welsh rural areas.
§ Mr. BrittanThe extension of UHF television coverage is being planned and undertaken jointly by the BBC and the IBA. While one authority is responsible for the establishment of any particular transmitting station, every station transmits BBC and IBA television services.
The process of planning, securing national and international clearance for, and establishing new stations is a complex one and it is accordingly difficult to give precise details for more than about 6 months in advance.
I understand that in the first six months of 1981 the IBA hopes to open 12 new relay stations in Welsh rural areas, and the BBC 10. The total for the second half of the year is expected to be between 10 and 16.