§ 65. Mr. Shepherdasked the Postmaster-General how much has been spent during the last 12 months on frequency modulation; and whether, in view of experience elsewhere, he has reached a decision regarding its future.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Hobson)During the past 12 months the B.B.C. has spent about £85,000 on very high frequency broadcasting. Very high frequencies can be used either with amplitude modulation or with frequency modulation. It is not yet decided which method will be used in this country, and the B.B.C.'s Experimental Station, now under construction, will at first provide for transmissions by both methods. I am satisfied that it is necessary to develop very high frequency broadcasting in order to relieve the shortage of long and medium wavelengths.
§ Mr. ShepherdHas the hon. Gentleman studied the results which have been obtained in the United States? Will he bear in mind the inadvisability of proceeding with large-scale expenditure on a project which has very little hope of being of any practical value to this country?
§ Mr. HobsonYes, Sir.