Local Television Channels

HC Deb 25 November 1997 vol 301 cc457-8W

Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what data his Department collates on the availability of local television channels in particular areas. [16715]

Mr. Fisher

The BBC and the Independent Television Commission (ITC) are responsible for planning the use of frequencies for television services and hold data on the coverage of all national and regional terrestrial television services. This information is shared with my Department and with the Department of Trade and Industry's Radiocommunications Agency, which is responsible for ensuring that frequency plans for all terrestrial television services do not interfere with other spectrum users' services.