§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will discuss with S4C the feasibility of securing satellite television air time to ensure that all residents within Wales are able to receive Welsh language television programmes.
§ Mr. BrookeNo. Responsibility for coverage of television services lies with the broadcasters, including S4C, which determine their priorities in the light of the resources available to them.
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which communities within Wales which are at present unable to receive a reasonable reception of programmes transmitted by S4C and at least one English language television channel based in Wales could technically be served by a system of low power local relay masts; how many residents could be served by each mast; and how 'much each mast would cost to erect and maintain.
§ Mr. BrookeInformation about reception of television services by communities in Wales was given in my replies to questions from the hon. Member on 14 December 1993,Official Report, columns 577–78. The additional information about coverage could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The broadcasters estimate that the average cost of building a low-power television relay station is about £40,000, with maintenance costs of about £3,000 a year.