HC Deb 14 December 1993 vol 234 cc572-4W
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will discuss with the Independent Broadcasting Authority and television operators how to ensure that all parts of Wales can receive all television channels originating from within Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Brooke

At present, 98.3 per cent. of the population of Wales can receive television from either a transmitter in Wales or England or both.

Responsibility for coverage of terrestrial television services lies with the broadcasters, who determine their own engineering priorities in the light of available resources, taking account of local factors and availability of frequencies. The Government do not seek to influence their judgments.

Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary for State of National Heritage which communities within Wales are at present unable to receive a reasonable reception of programmes transmitted by HTV, BBC Wales or S4C.

Mr. Brooke

I understand that, in the following areas, some communities of more than 200 people may not have a reasonable reception of Welsh television services:

  • Pembroke Dock
  • Pontyminster
  • Cwrtnewydd
  • Penrhyn-coch
  • Mawddach Valley
  • Presteigne
  • Chirk
  • Llanpumpsaint
  • Penstrowed
  • Llanrwst
  • Beffws Gwerfil Goch
  • Painscastle
  • Llanwddyn
  • New Radnor
  • Rhydargaeau
  • Flint Area
  • Holywell
  • Ffynnongroew West
  • Knucklas
  • Beaumaris
  • Abersychan
  • Llangranog
  • Erwood
  • Ely (Cardiff)
  • Llanfachreth
  • Newcastle Emlyn
  • Dovey Valley
  • Llanllugan
  • Citycwm
  • Brechfa
  • Parkmill
  • Pont-Rhyd-y-Groes
  • Llyswen
  • Solva
  • Abersoch
  • Bagillt Area

Taxpayers1liable at higher rate
(Thousands)
Tax rate2
40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 83 Total
1978–79 235 158 86 84 54 45 32 36 33 763
1979–80 302 168 108 43 53 — — — — 674
1980–81 334 216 129 52 65 — — — — 796
1981–82 445 305 170 75 95 — — — — 1,090
1982–83 435 245 155 65 83 — — — — 983
1983–84 355 245 140 55 65 — — — — 860
1984–85 380 255 145 65 85 — — — — 930
1985–86 380 250 150 70 100 — — — — 950
1986–87 400 300 210 90 120 — — — — 1,120
1987–88 360 320 240 110 160 — — — — 1,190
1988–89 1,350 — — — — — — — — 1,350
1989–90 1,500 — — — — — — — — 1,500
1990–91 1,700 — — — — — — — — 1,700
1991–92 1,620 — — — — — — — — 1,620
31992–93 1,800 — — — — — — — — 1,800
31993–94 1,900 — — — — — — — — 1,900
1 Single people and married couples for years up to and including 1989–90, individuals from 1990–91.
2 Tax rate applicable to earned income. This excludes any liability to the investment income surcharge for years up to 1983–84.
3 Provisional estimates projected from the 1991–92 Survey of Personal Incomes.

  • Usk
  • Upper Cwmbran
  • Tintern
  • Crew Green/Criggion
  • Llandenny
  • St. David's
  • Caernarfon
  • Newport
  • Trewem
  • Tonyrefail
  • Merthyr Tydfil
  • Knighton
  • Margam
  • Manafon
  • Abergynolwyn
  • Milford Haven
  • Capel Curig
  • Stepaside
  • Llwyndafydd
  • Ruabon
  • Barry
  • Caergwrle
  • Mostyn/Glan-y-Don
  • Llanover
  • Raglan
In all, there are some 91,000 people who cannot receive Welsh television services, but many of them, about 43,000, can receive English television services.