HC Deb 16 June 1964 vol 696 cc158-9W
40. Mr. J. Morris

asked the Postmaster-General what estimate he has made of the number of people in Wales who can receive adequately the British Broadcasting Corporation's Welsh Service; what percentage of the population this represents; and how many parts of Wales find it difficult or impossible to receive the service.

Mr. Bevins

The B.B.C. tells me that more than 1½ million people in Wales can receive B.B.C. Welsh Television: about 59 per cent. of the population. When the B.B.C.'s new transmitters in North East Wales, Machynlleth and Carmarthen come into service, these figures will rise to nearly 2 million or 72 per cent. Reception of the new service in some of the valley towns in Glamorgan and Monmouthshire is unfortunately spoilt by the screening effect of the hills; and parts of Central and North Wales are beyond reach.

Mr. Ness Edwards

asked the Postmaster-General which areas of Wales were enabled to receive B.B.C. (Wales) by withdrawing transmissions of B.B.C.1; and what has been the reaction of viewers to this change.

Mr. Bevins

West and North-West Wales and the part of Central Wales served by the B.B.C.'s Llandrindod Wells station have been enabled to receive B.B.C. (Wales) in this way. The B.B.C. tells me that some viewers have complained that the effect has been to displace at certain times programmes which they had formerly received on B.B.C.1. The Corporation is keeping the timing of programmes in B.B.C. (Wales) under review so as to try to find the best balance between the specifically Welsh programme-items, and the general programme-items.

Mr. Ness Edwards

asked the Postmaster-General what coverage has been obtained by the authorised transmitting power of B.B.C. (Wales); and which areas of the Principality are technically incapable of receiving B.B.C. (Wales).

Mr. Bevins

The coverage so far attained by B.B.C. (Wales) is about 59 per cent. of the Welsh population. When the B.B.C.'s transmitters in North East Wales, Machynlleth and Carmarthen come into service, the coverage should rise to about 72 per cent.

In some of the valley towns in Glamorgan and Monmouthshire reception of the service is spoiled by the screening effect of the hills; and parts of Central and North Wales are beyond reach of it.