HC Deb 19 February 1976 vol 905 cc787-8W
Mr. Wigely

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from local authorities and other representative bodies in Wales concerning the establishment of a fourth television channel in Wales; and whether these representations have supported or opposed the recommendation of the Crawford Committee.

is normally the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales, respectively. The Voluntary Services Unit made its first grants in the financial year 1974–75. The information for these two financial years is as follows:

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Since the publication of the Crawford Committee Report in November 1974 I have received representations from the Risca and District Citizen's Association (April 1975); Cymdeithas yr laith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) (June 1975); Urdd Gobaith Cymru (Welsh League of Youth) (December 1975); Carmarthen District Council (January 1976); and Dwyfor District Council (February 1976). The representations support the Crawford Committee's recommendation.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government have yet reached a decision about the fourth television service in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The Government are fully aware of all the arguments in favour of a fourth television service in Wales, and have accepted in principle the Crawford Committee's recommendation that it should be provided. It has also given careful consideration to the Siberry Report, which set out a programme and costs for the service. The Government have concluded, however, in the context of the recently completed review of public expenditure, that the project cannot in the present economic circumstances command sufficient priority to justify an immediate Government subvention. Prominent in this consideration was the necessity to consider resources for other developments in television of benefit to Wales and the country as a whole, in particular, the need to finance the programme of coverage in colour on UHF, and to replace the existing VHF 405-line transmission. The Government intend to review the situation afresh at the end of the financial year 1976–77.