§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress made to date in obtaining international clearances for the revised Channel 5 frequency plan; which frequencies have now achieved clearances from which foreign jurisdictions; which are outstanding; and if he expects any impediments to final clearances being achieved by October. [15394]
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§ Mr. Ian TaylorI am pleased to report that most of the revised Channel 5 transmitter plan has been cleared. The coverage of the service is now around 67 per cent. of the population compared with the base figure of around 50 per cent. which had been cleared as part of the original Channel 5 plan.
The Radiocommunications Agency has cleared internationally 20 out of 26 proposals put forward by the Independent Television Commission, including major transmitters such as Winter Hill, which will ensure that a major part of the north-west of England, including Manchester and Liverpool, will be able to receive the service. Achievement of the outstanding clearances will increase coverage of Channel 5 to around 70 per cent. of the population.
The following transmitters which have been fully cleared by all foreign Administrations:
Location Winter Hill Channel 48/Horizontal Polarisation Croydon Channel 37/Horizontal Polarisation Sutton Coldfield Channel 37/Horizontal Polarisation Black Hill Channel 37/Horizontal Polarisation Burnhope Channel 68/Horizontal Polarisation Belmont Channel 56/Horizontal Polarisation Fawley Channel 34/Horizontal Polarisation Fenham Channel 56/Vertical Polarisation Tacolneston Channel 52/Horizontal Polarisation Durris Channel 67/Horizontal Polarisation Chelmsford Channel 63/Horizontal Polarisation Perth Channel 55/Vertical Polarisation Tay Bridge Channel 34/Vertical Polarisation Plympton Channel 30/Vertical Polarisation Huntshaw Cross Channel 67/Horizontal Polarisation Craigkelly Channel 48/Horizonal Polarisation Mounteagle Channel 67/Horizontal Polarisation Selkirk Channel 52/Horizontal Polarisation Cambret Hill Channel 37/Horizontal Polarisation Oxford Channel 49/Horizontal Polarisation The following are still under discussion between the Radiocommunications Agency and neighbouring administrations: the transmitters at Black mountain, Londonderry, Presely and Blaen Plwyf are under consideration by the Irish Administration; the Radiocommunications Agency is currently examining a response from the French Administration concerning the proposals for the Mendip and Redruth transmitters.
It is not possible to predict the outcomes or timing of the outstanding negotiations, although the discussions are taking place in a positive and constructive way.