Written question asked by Alan Williams (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 March 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 14 March 2008. It was answered by Andy Burnham (Labour) on Thursday, 27 March 2008 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Digital Broadcasting: Swansea

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to ensure that advice about the Digital Switchover Help Scheme is given at an early stage of the conversion from analogue to digital television transmission in Swansea.

Answer: Digital UK is already actively raising awareness about digital switchover in Wales, through advertising and publicity, which lets people know there will be a help scheme for eligible people nearer the time of switchover.Specific regional help scheme advertising and publicity is planned for the period of eligibility, from about eight months before switchover, and will include advertising, local press articles, public awareness events and targeted communications for local third sector organisations for eligible people.Using DWP data and data provided by local authorities, the help scheme will write to every eligible person directly at least twice in the run-up to switchover, to invite them to take up the help offered through the scheme. Information about eligibility and what help is available through the scheme is also accessible on the Digital UK website and from its national helpline, and will shortly also be available from the switchover help scheme website and helpline which are being launched at the beginning of April.

Secondary information