§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the effect the ultra high frequency wavelengths allotted to Channel 5 will have on reception by domestic television sets; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. WaddingtonChannel 5 transmission at UHF wavelengths will have no direct adverse effect on reception by domestic television sets. There is, however, the possibility of interference between the Channel 5 transmission and the output of a video cassette recorder or similar device which is used in association with a TV set. We estimate that something over 750,000 video cassette recorders will need to be returned or modified in order to prevent this interference. The Broadcasting Bill provides that the cost of the work should be met by the Channel 5 licensee.
§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to change the regulations governing television licence fees in sheltered accommodation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonNo. Our views on this subject are already well known.
§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to determine the total amounts paid by each independent television company for the acquisition of musical copyrights in each of the past three years.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI have no plans to intervene in these commercial arrangements. But as the hon. Gentleman will be aware, the Director General of Fair Trading is currently inquiring into the relationship between the ITV companies and music publishers to see whether this would justify investigation under competition legislation.