§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what action her Department is currently taking in relation to the production of proposals for the future of the BBC's transmission services; [1744]
(2) when she first anticipated being able to make an announcement on the future of the BBC's transmission services; and what factors underlay the delay in making this statement; [1711]
(3) when her Department expects to be able to make an announcement on the future of the BBC's transmission services; [1713]
(4) what factors underlay the separate timings for (a) her announcements on the future of the BBC's transmission services and (b) the publication of her Department's guidance on digital terrestrial broadcasting. [1745]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 23 November 1995]: As indicated in my answer to the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Olner) on 20 November Official Report, column 44 we will announce our decision on the future of the BBC transmission services shortly. It was always our intention 438W to announce our decision once we had fully explored with the BBC possible options for the future of its transmission services, taking account of the development of its plans for digital broadcasting. The policy document, "Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting", Cm 2946, was published in August to provide an opportunity for comment on the Government's proposals in order to inform the preparation of the Broadcasting Bill announced in the Gracious Speech.