Written question asked by Roy Beggs (Ulster Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 20 April 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 April 2004. It was answered by Baroness Morris of Yardley (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 April 2004 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what percentage of the population of (a) Newtownabbey, (b) Carrickfergus and (c) Larne are able to receive Freeview digital television services. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the population of (a) Newtownabbey, (b) Carrickfergus and (c) Larne are able to receive Freeview digital television services. [168197] Estelle Morris: According to BBC Freeview prediction figures, access to Freeview in Newtonabbey is approximately 10 per cent., Carrickfergus, around 80 per cent. and in Larne, very little, if any coverage is currently predicted. For mainly technical reasons, it will not be possible to significantly increase digital terrestrial television coverage prior to digital switchover. However, the Government are committed to ensuring that everyone who can currently receive the main public service broadcasting channels in analogue form will receive them on digital systems at switchover.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 420 c897W; 168197
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Digital broadcasting Northern Ireland Television Newtownabbey Larne Carrickfergus
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk