§ 66 and 67. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Postmaster-General (1) how many regular broadcasts are run by the British Broadcasting Corporation to foreign countries in their respective languages; how many have been opened since 1945; what is the cost of each and what proportion of these costs are borne by the countries concerned;
(2) what are the wavelengths of the transmissions broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation to foreign countries; how many of the programmes are receivable in the United Kingdom; and to what extent translations of the programmes are available in English.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe B.B.C. broadcasts regularly to 34 foreign countries in their respective languages, apart from broadcasts to countries of the Commonwealth. Two such services—namely, to Russia and to Israel, have been started since 1945. The Corporation is unable 403 to give the costs of the transmissions to each country separately because there is a large element of common service; some of the programmes can be received in more than one country simultaneously. None of the cost is borne by any foreign country.
Most of the B.B.C.'s broadcasts to foreign countries are on short wavelengths of which 60 are used; these can be received regularly in the United Kingdom only by persons near to the transmitters. One long wavelength, 1,796 metres, and one medium wavelength, 267 metres, are, however, used for broadcasts from the United Kingdom to European countries; and in addition, B.B.C. programmes to European countries are relayed on 456 metres from Norden in Germany, and on 338 metres from Graz Dobl in Austria. The long wavelength can be received in most parts of the United Kingdom, and one at least of the medium wavelengths can be heard in most parts of England during the hours of darkness.
It is not possible, without undue expense in staff and money, to provide translations of all of the programmes for the general public; but as far as possible the B.B.C. complies with particular requests by responsible persons or authorities for the texts of specific programmes.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWould the right hon. Gentleman say why, if he thinks that translations of these programmes are an undue expense, it was justified to start a new programme on Sunday to Israel, and would he say what expenses were involved and what justification there is for it in view of the present need for economy?
§ Mr. PalingI cannot add to my answer without notice.
§ Mr. Francis Noel-BakerWould not my right hon. Friend agree that the value and prestige of the overseas programmes of the B.B.C. are out of all proportion to their cost, and will he give an assurance that there will be no slashing economies in foreign language broadcasts?
§ Mr. PalingMost people agree that they are valuable.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWould the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to allow translations of talks to be made available to Members of this House if requested?
§ Mr. PalingI should like to look into that.