§ 35. Mr. DORANasked the Postmaster-General if, in view of page 13 of Cmd. No. 2756, where the power granted to the British Broadcasting Corporation is limited to establishing wireless telegraph stations in the Brtish Isles for the benefit of persons holding a licence issued by the Postmaster-General, he will take steps to prevent any further work on the Empire station at Daventry, such work being in contravention of the terms of the charter?
§ Sir K. WOODClause 2 of the licence, printed on page 15 of Cmd. 2756, authorises the Corporation to establish and maintain broadcast stations at such places in the British Isles as may from time to time be approved by the Postmaster-General. The site of the Empire Broadcasting Station has been so approved, and I see no reason for interfering with the erection of the station.
§ Mr. DORANIs the Postmaster-General aware that it is going to cost £80,000 to instal this station at Daventry and £50,000 a year in upkeep, and, in view of the technical difficulties attached, making it impossible to carry out the scheme properly, why have we so much money to devote to it at this time?
§ Sir K. WOODI cannot agree with any of the conclusions of my hon. Friend. I do not think that the broadcast which is to take place in a few days' time from Daventry will be ineffective. It is true that in the first instance it will be experimental, but there is a great desire throughout the Empire for this station.