§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when his Department plans to publish a broadcasting consultation document. [43651]
§ Mr. Chris SmithThe Government are carefully considering future policy towards broadcasting and telecommunications in the light of the changes in technology which have the potential to transform these sectors and to erode current distinctions between them. My Department and the Department of Trade and Industry shall consult widely on these issues later this year, and shall be publishing a document for that purpose as soon as our current initial consideration has been completed.
§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he estimates analogue terrestrial broadcasts will cease in the United Kingdom. [43659]
§ Mr. Chris SmithThe Government's consultation paper "Television: the Digital Future"—published on 12 February 1998,Official Report, column 364—seeks comments on a wide range of issues relating to the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting including the timing of closure of the analogue terrestrial network. Comments are invited by 4 September.
The Government will consider the timing and nature of an announcement on the closure of the analogue network in the light of the responses to that consultation document.
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