"TV Coverage for all" demand Welsh Lib Dems

2.08.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th Jul 2005

"Save Our Rural Services" - that's the Welsh Liberal Democrats focus at the Royal Welsh Show this week. Today, Eleanor Burnham is campaigning to ensure all homes in Wales receive digital television when the analogue system is switched off.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Show, Mrs Burnham highlighted the fact that a handful of communities were effectively excluded from Welsh Life.

She said: "30 years after a Government reported highlighted the fact, many parts of Wales still do not receive Welsh television.

"Public Service Broadcasting is the cornerstone of Welsh culture, identity and language, and is crucial for an informed and involved democracy. To be cut off from this is to be disenfranchised - we must have universal access.

"Digital broadcasting could offer an opportunity for a better deal for Wales. To achieve this, the Government must make combating our switchover difficulties a priority. Instead of falling off the dial, Wales should lead the way and be fully tuned in to digital.

Roger Williams MP, who has been leading the campaign at Westminster said:

"I am leading a cross party delegation of MPs to meet broadcasting minister James Purnell tomorrow afternoon in order to renew discussions about ending the lack of TV reception in Wales.

'It is an absolute disgrace that in the 21st Century 85,000 people in Wales are still cut off from technology and mainstream society purely because of where they choose to live. The problem is yet worsened by the fact that the hilly landscape which stops these residents getting TV reception, also prevents them from getting broadband and mobile phone reception.

'I have welcomed the fact that the debate surrounding digital switchover has placed the issue of TV reception firmly on the agenda, but we still do not have a commitment from the government to improve matters for those affected. I will be going into the meeting with the firm intention of securing a roadmap to put poor TV reception in Wales where it belongs, in the history books."

Diwedd/Ends.