Written question asked by Nigel Waterson (Conservative) on Monday, 8 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 July 2002. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 July 2002 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what deadline the Government have set for NTL to build a new cable and digital network to broadcast the channels of the Digital Terrestrial Alliance; and by what date NTL will put into operation their new digital and cable network.

Answer: Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what deadline the Government have set for NTL to build a new cable and digital network to broadcast the channels of the Digital Terrestrial Alliance; and by what date NTL will put into operation their new digital and cable network. [69073] Dr. Howells: I have been asked to reply. The award of digital terrestrial television multiplex is a matter for the Independent Television Commission. On 4 July, the Commission announced that it had made a conditional decision to award the licences to the BBC and Crown Castle and not to the Digital Terrestrial Alliance, whose bid included a rebuild of the digital network by NTL.

Secondary information