HC Deb 02 February 1999 vol 324 c544W
Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will provide financial support to households that currently receive analogue terrestrial television, but which cannot receive digital terrestrial television to enable them to receive the digital television service(a) via digital satellite television and (b) by other means; [68588]

(2) when the switch-off date will be announced for analogue transmissions; [68593]

(3) if he will ensure that the proceeds from auctions of analogue spectrum are used to assist consumers and communities in the United Kingdom to receive the same quality of digital television service; [68592]

(4) what estimate he has made of the number of households in the UK which will not be directly served by digital terrestrial television; [68589]

(5) when he will respond to the consultations received following the publication of "Television: the Digital Future". [68587]

Janet Anderson

I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave on 10 November 1998,Official Report, columns 122–23. We are still considering the wide variety of opinions expressed in the responses to the consultation paper: "Television the Digital Future" and will make an announcement in due course.