HC Deb 27 October 1989 vol 158 cc638-9W
Mr. Canavan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much public money has been spent on adapting the BBC Westerglen transmission station, Falkirk, for possible use in the event of a nuclear war; and where the money came from;

(2) what communications he has had with the BBC about the possible use of the Westerglen transmission station, Falkirk, in the event of a nuclear war;

(3) what efforts were made by his Department to assess local opinion regarding the adaptation of the Westerglen transmission station, Falkirk, for possible use in the event of a nuclear war;

(4) whether he will make a statement giving the details of, and the justification for, the adaptation of the Westerglen transmission station, Falkirk, for possible use in the event of a nuclear war.

Mr. Renton

Planning permission has been obtained from Falkirk district council to build limited emergency facilities at the Westerglen transmitter site and work is expected to begin shortly. Such facilities attract Government grant, but it is not the practice to disclose details in individual cases.

I understand that the building work currently being undertaken at the site is to refurbish and upgrade the existing transmitting facilities as part of the BBC's ongoing maintenance programme.