HC Deb 19 June 1933 vol 279 cc470-1
17. Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHT

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the frequency of interference with wireless broadcast reception owing to electric tramway and trolley omnibus services; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the interests of listeners-in?

Sir K. WOOD

It is common knowledge that electric tramways and trolley omnibus services can cause serious interference with the reception of wireless programmes and that the difficulty can only be cured economically at the source. The Post Office is always ready to assist in devising and demonstrating suitable remedies; and, in general, it finds that the owners of the traction services are willing, in the interests of their customers in the locality, to make such comparatively small modifications of their plant as may be necessary to meet requirements. It has, however, at present no statutory power of insisting on the application of remedial measures; and it may be necessary to seek such powers in future wireless legislation.

Mr. KNIGHT

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his sympathetic reply, may I ask him whether it is not the case that some municipal authorities recognise the duty of correcting this interference caused by their electricity services; and, in view of the evasive propensities of some other local authorities, will he take whatever steps he can immediately to remedy these defects, or ask this House to give him further authority as speedily as possible?

Sir K. WOOD

In a very large number of cases the corporations concerned do help in this matter, but I regret to say that in one or two instances—in one of which, I think, my hon. and learned Friend is interested—the corporations concerned have not yet seen their way to help, though I am hopeful that they will recognise their public duty in this connection.

Mr. KNIGHT

Would it not assist the case in Nottingham if the right hon. Gentleman supplied the corporation with half-a-dozen prevention devices instead of the one which he has offered?

Sir K. WOOD

I am not quite aware of what my hon. and learned Friend has referred to, but in Nottingham it would entail only a very small expenditure by the corporation to meet the difficulty.

Mr. KNIGHT

Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain whether it is not the case that some time ago the town clerk of Nottingham offered to use half-a-dozen of these devices to test the matter if they were supplied?

Sir K. WOOD

I will make inquiries.

Mr. CAPORN

Is it a fact that the interference is caused solely where there has been a transfer from the ordinary electric tramways to trolley trams?

Sir K. WOOD

I should not like to assent to that statement.