§ 87. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Postmaster-General what is the present annual expenditure by his Department on the prevention of interference with wireless broadcasting reception in Great Britain; and whether he has considered the possibility of reducing this expenditure by introducing legislation or obtaining a legal decision to the effect that such interference can be compulsorily prevented?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Walter Womersley)The annual expenditure by the Post Office in assisting owners of wireless sets to obtain broadcast reception free from interference is at present about £80,000. The whole subject is at present under consideration by a committee appointed by the Institution of Electrical Engineers, on which the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Post Office are represented, in addition to the electrical and wireless interests concerned. The question whether there is need for legislation will be considered when the committee's report is received.
§ 88. Mr. LEVYasked the Postmaster-General how many complaints he has received in respect of wireless relay services in this country?
§ Sir W. WOMERSLEYAny complaints in respect of wireless relay services would normally be addressed to the operating companies concerned and not to the Post Office. A few complaints have however been received by my Department, mainly relating either to interference caused by relay wires or to the inclusion in, or omission from, the programme of broadcasts from foreign stations.