§ 34. Captain Peter Macdonaldasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what have been the results up to date of the broadcasts in Arabic so far as Palestine is concerned; and for what reason it was not found possible to broadcast a reliable British news service in Arabic on a medium wavelength through the existing 1032 Palestine broadcasting service in Jerusalem?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)The British Broadcasting Corporation's broadcasts in Arabic started only five weeks ago. It is too early to attempt to estimate what effect they have produced in Palestine. With regard to the second part of the question, a news service in Arabic is, in fact, broadcast from the Palestine Broadcasting Station in Jerusalem on a medium wavelength, but the transmissions do not cover such a wide area as the British Broadcasting Corporation transmissions on the short wave.
§ Mr. CrossleyIs it not a fact that our first broadcast in Arabic contained as its piece de resistance news of the execution of an Arab in Jerusalem?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI believe that is so.