HC Deb 01 March 1976 vol 906 cc467-8W
Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government intend to provide any grants in order to assist the BBC and IBA with their transmitter development programmes to cover those areas of the United Kingdom which did not receive television at all, or only one channel.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

No. Responsibility for UHF coverage lies with the BBC and IBA which have a joint programme which aims at achieving 99 per cent. coverage by 1979. Except in two instances, neither of which relates to Wales, the programme is unaffected by the recent cuts announced by the BBC and the broadcasting authorities have not asked for assistance in the form of Government grants.