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Written Answers
28 OCTOBER 1982
ators in Wales for permission to distribute the Fourth Channel service rather than the Welsh Fourth Channel service; and what decisions he has reached.
Mr. Whitelaw: In the Government's observations on the second report from the Committee on Welsh Affairs, Session 1980-81, Cmnd. 8469, and in response to a specific recommendation by the Committee, I indicated that I would be willing in certain circumstances to consider applications from cable operators in Wales for permission to distribute the United Kingdom Fourth Channel service (C4UK) rather than the Welsh Fourth Channel service (S4C) if they could satisfy me that this was the wish of the majority of subscribers. I would also need to be satisfied before granting permission that the cable systems in respect of which applications were made had insufficient capacity to carry both services and that--in order not to deprive any viewers of the opportunity of receiving S4C-an adequate S4C signal was generally available off- air in the area concerned.
Rediffusion Ltd. conducted a ballot of the subscribers to 18 of its cable systems in South Wales and has made application to me in respect of 16 systems, in the following areas: Abertillery, Bargoed, Bargoed South, Deri, Merthyr, Newbridge, Newport, Pontlottyn, Pontypool, Morriston, Swansea, Caerphilly, Llangeinor, Maesteg, Pontypridd, Rhondda. Rediffusion informs me that the result of the ballot was that just over half of its subscribers voted and of these a substantial majority expressed a preference for receiving the C4UK-rather than S4C.
However, representations have been made to me and to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales that it would not be right, at least at the present time, to permit cable distribution of C4UK rather than S4C. These representations reflect concern that the result of the ballot of subscribers who cast their votes in Rediffusion shops may in some instances have been unreliable, partly because the nature of the S4C service and the choice open to subscribers may not have been adequately explained to them; they also reflect the view that a decision should not be taken in advance of the launching of S4C.
Having considered the matter very carefully in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales I have come to the conclusion that in all the circumstances I should not authorise the distribution of C4UK rather than S4C on the systems concerned at this stage and without more reliable information concerning the wishes of subscribers.
Plastic Bullets
Mr. George Cunningham asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police authorities in England and Wales have purported to prohibit the purchase of or use of plastic bullets; what reports he has called for on this matter; and what guidance he has issued on the effect of any ban on the use of plastic bullets already acquired by a force.
Mr. Whitelaw: I shall write to the hon. Member.
Written Answers
Hong Kong
Mr. Colvin asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider allowing British citizens from Hong Kong to use the short description “British” in their passports after 1 January 1983 rather than the longer version "British dependent territory citizen".
Mr. Rifkind: I have been asked to reply. The matter of descriptions in passports is under consideration.
ENERGY
Coal Liquefaction HK 340/1
Mr. Barry Jones asked the Secretary of State -for Energy if he will make a comprehensive statement HO. ST regarding the latest position concerning the proposed Point of Ayr coal liquefaction scheme.
1
VICES
Mr. Mellor: I hope to be able to make such a statement etion 1 in the near future.
British Gas....
No
Mr. Skinner asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total amount of proceeds realised by the Treasury from British Gas in the financial year 1981-82.
Mr. Mellor: The Exchequer received no proceeds from the sale of British Gas assets in the financial year 1981-82.
Petrol Prices
Mr. Skinner asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the average price per gallon of petrol in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 and for the nearest available date in 1982.
Mr. Gray: Data on the average price of petrol are obtained from a survey of the major oil marketing companies on or about the 15th of each month. The latest available data for 1982 relate to the month of August. The average prices of premium and regular petrol, in pence per gallon, for the month of August in the years requested were as follows:
August 1978
August 1979
August 1980
August 1981
August 1982
Average price in pence per gallon Premium petrol Regular petrol
76
74
119
117
132
130
169
167
172
169
Government Research
Mr. Robin F. Cook asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out in the Official Report in comparable prices the total amount of Government research and development spending on (a) nuclear power, (b) the fast reactor, (c) nuclear fusion, (d) coal, (e) oil, (s) gas, (g) each form of renewable energy and (h) energy conservation in each year from 1977 and that projected for future years.
Mr. Lawson: The figures are as follows:
279
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