§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his intention to define minimum standards of transmitter performance which will apply after 1992.
§ Mr. RentonAs our White Paper made clear, we intend to ensure that high technical standards are maintained. The study on the privatisation of the transmission system which we announced on 30 December will examine whether any technical regulation is necessary to ensure this, and if so, what form it should take.
§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what means transmitter replacement will be funded.
§ Mr. RentonAs we made clear in our White Paper, a privatised transmission system will be expected to achieve the same degree and quality of coverage as at present. The study on the privatisation of the transmission system which we announced on 30 December will be examining how this objective can be best achieved. The cost of maintaining the transmission system would fall to the private sector operators.
§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Independent Television Commission will be responsible for monitoring transmitter performance.
§ Mr. RentonIt is envisaged that the ITC will supervise the transmission arrangements for independent services, in592W order to ensure conformity with international obligations and the observance of technical specifications designed to limit interference. The study on the privatisation of the transmission system which we are commissioning will consider whether any further technical regulation is necessary.
In the transitional period before the establishment of a privatised transmission system, we envisage that the ITC will also be responsible for appointing, and monitoring the performance of, transmission contractors.
§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ITV and Channel 4 transmitters are on British Broadcasting Corporation-owned sites.
§ Mr. RentonFour hundred and sixty one.