§ 35. Mr. W. Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he has taken to increase the range of the Hong Kong broadcasting station, so that it can service areas not touched under normal conditions by either Malayan or Ceylon stations.
§ 43. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the effective range of the Hong Kong radio station on the medium wave; and to what extent its power has been increased in the past 12 months in order to provide a means of propaganda for China.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Cook)No steps are being taken to increase the power of the Hong Kong broadcasting station. The new broadcasting station which is being set up in Malaya will provide effective coverage of the Far East, including China. The effective range of the Hong Kong radio station on the medium wave is the Colony and its immediate vicinity.
§ Mr. FletcherDoes not the hon. Gentleman think the fact that the Malaya station will not be ready for a very long time makes it necessary to alter his ideas about the Hong Kong station? Otherwise, once again we shall be left well behind in putting 1342 forward our point of view throughout China.
§ Mr. CookNo, Sir. The fact is that upon examination it was found this would he a lengthy and expensive operation. The new station comes into operation early in 1951.
§ Mr. GammansDoes not the Minister realise how ridiculous is that answer? The only people who can listen to the Malaya station are people with short-wave radio sets; and considering that this is the only method we have of influencing China, are the Government proposing to do nothing about it?
§ Mr. Thomas ReidIs not it a fact that it has been found that there are great technical difficulties in transmitting from Hong Kong to China?
§ Brigadier HeadIs the Minister aware that the whole of our propaganda and broadcasting services in the Far East are very inadequate indeed? We are being opposed by the full blast of Russian propaganda. Is not it high time the Foreign Office woke up?
§ Mr. W. FletcherDoes not the hon. Gentleman recollect that this was put before his Department 18 months ago by other hon. Members and myself; that nothing has been done, and that the advice given to his Department about technical difficulties has been used as an excuse for inaction?
§ Mr. W. FletcherOn a point of order. In view of the entirely unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first available opportunity.