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Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill

The noble Viscount is never confused; I have just not succeeded in clarifying the situation as accurately as I ought. As I have indicated to the noble Viscount, we trust that the practical operation of the scheme will go to one contracted operator. If that takes the BBC out of one of the ““relevant persons””, it will have no status on the position, nor can it deal with any difficulty which might occur with the one contracted operator. The BBC has a crucial role in this; it is the broadcaster of national repute, in which resides considerable trust. We are dealing with a difficult transition. There is perhaps a tendency to be a little blasé over the movement to digital television. I should not think that there is Member of this Committee who has had difficulties in making that transition; if so, they are in a small percentage of the population. There may be a noble Lord who has not transferred to digital, but neither the actual concept of effecting the transfer not the costs involved would be the most salient issues. We have identified a group of people for whom the signal will be progressively switched off as we go through the regions, starting with the pilot study at Whitehaven. We have identified a group of vulnerable citizens who need help. The over-75s’ take-up of digital is vastly different from the rest of the population. I give way to the right reverent Prelate, who I am sure will help me.