Mixed signals from Rhodri on switchover - Burnham (Eleanor Burnham )

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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Mixed signals from Rhodri on switchover - Burnham

March 14, 2006 4:31 PM

Eleanor Burnham AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly spokesperson on Culture and Broadcasting has today written to the First Minister Rhodri Morgan to clarify seemly contradictory statements he gave in Plenary questions on TV access.

On the 14th June Mrs Burnham's challenged the First Minister on extending coverage through digital Switchover. The First Minister replied saying that, "Digital technology is not primarily about extending the coverage to the 1.5 per cent of the population that does not have good television reception…the technology is about extending the number of channels you can get if you are lucky enough to have coverage."

Today during First Minister Questions, in an apparent about turn from his previous ambivalence, Rhodri Morgan said that he wanted to fight to ensure that the 2.6% (of those without analogue signal) will be covered by the arrangements in switchover.

Mrs Burnham, Assembly Member for North Wales, a region affected by poor coverage, commenting on Mr Morgan's seemly contradictory statement said that, "36.000 homes in Wales do not have access to Welsh public service broadcasting. I have continually challenged the Welsh Assembly Government on the need to take action to ensure that we have universal access to coverage post switchover.

"The First Minister and Culture Minister Alun Pugh have both been ambivalent towards this issue, saying there is nothing they can do. The Government in Westminster have said that they will not extend coverage after switchover to digital. They seem to believe that it is acceptable for the 1.5% of the population who do not have coverage to remain without coverage after switchover.

"I have written to the First Minister to clarify what he meant this afternoon. If he does want to fight for greater access I welcome him to our cause. I highlighted the importance of this issue in a short debate on the 5th October and have questioned both him and Alun Pugh on many occasions. I want to know what exactly the First Minister has done to fight this issue in Westminster and what he hopes to achieve. I also want to know what directions he has given to Alun Pugh who keeps insisting that this is not a matter he can do much about."

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