§ 38. Mr. E. Smithasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the public desire within a 50-mile radius of Manchester for a television service; what are the prospects of such a service; and will he consult with the British Broadcasting Corporation with a view to having a television station constructed on a site that will enable the people of this area to have the opportunity of a television service?
§ 42. Mr. Burkeasked the Postmaster-General whether the Television Advisory Committee has given any indication as to whether the time has arrived for the extension of television services to centres outside London?
Sir W. WormersleyThe extension of the television service to areas outside the range of the London Station involves serious problems both technical and financial. On the advice of the Television Advisory Committee technical research is being undertaken in regard to possible methods of relaying television programmes from London to other centres; but this research work is likely to occupy a considerable time; and it is feared that no decision concerning the extension of the service to other centres can be reached in the near future.
Mr. De la BèreIs it not a fact that there are lines in existence which would carry television, and that those lines are being used by the Post Office for other purposes?
§ Sir W. WomersleyIt is not a fact that the Post Office are using the lines for other purposes, but it is a fact that we cannot use them at the present time, and that further technical research will be necessary before we can extend television. In reply to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Middleton (Sir N. Stewart Sandeman) I may say that I should be very pleased to see the Cup semi-final televised because Grimsby Town will be playing the semi-final.
§ Mr. ThorneWould there be any difficulty in hon. Members of this House going to Broadcasting House to see television?
§ Sir W. WomersleyUnder the arrangements it is open for any hon. Member to go to Alexandra Palace to see television for himself.
§ Mr. ThorneI meant Broadcasting House.
§ Mr. KirbyIs the hon. Member aware that in the television district around Manchester there is one-third of the population of this country, and are they not entitled to this service as well as the people in the London area?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI am well aware of the position, and the Postmaster-General and myself are very anxious to get television into all the big centres as soon as possible.
§ Mr. LoganIs there any truth in the idea that the Government are afraid of television in the North as it might show the representation of this House?
§ 39. Mr. Dayasked the Postmaster-General whether he will give the House any further information regarding the advancement of television?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI would refer the hon. Member to the annual report of the British Broadcasting Corporation for 1938, which has just been published as Command Paper 5951 and contains an account of the progress of the television service during that year. I would also refer the hon. Member to my answer to the questions on the subject of the television services which the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Mr. E. Smith) and the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Burke) have on the Order Paper for to-day.
§ Mr. DayMay we be informed whether there is any prospect of any Provincial centres being linked up with this service?
§ Sir W. WomersleyIf the hon. Member will look in the Official Report tomorrow he will see that in answer to previous questions this afternoon I have already stated the position.