HC Deb 01 August 1951 vol 491 cc1454-6
43. Mr. Profumo

asked the Postmaster-General the names of the members of the special scientific committee which has been examining the problem of very high frequency; and on what recommendations he has been advised not to come to any conclusion until he has had further reports about the recently-discovered new developments.

Mr. Ness Edwards

I would refer the hon. Member to my answers to the hon. Member for Hendon, North (Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing), on 25th of July.

Mr. Profumo

But those answers do not say anything. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that nobody in the B.B.C. or in the radio industry has the slightest idea what these developments could possibly be, and they are extremely sceptical indeed. Does he not think that although he has come to the conclusion that he must make no further advance in V.H.F. until the facts of development have been worked out—

Mr. Ness Edwards indicated dissent.

Mr. Profumo

That is what the right hon. Gentleman said the other day. Does he not think it would be worth while at this stage to let the radio industry know what the developments are, so that development and research can be speeded up more than if he holds it in his own hands?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I feel that I ought not to be pressed further. There are commercial interests of one system as against another, and in this matter there is considerable commercial rivalry. I must try to find what is the best system for this country.

Mr. Profumo

How can there be commercial rivalry when nobody in the industry seems to have any idea of these developments? They do not know; neither do the B.B.C.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The hon. Gentleman knows the commercial rivalry between amplitude modulation and frequency modulation, and in this field there is great rivalry on the part of two great combines. I am trying to find the best system for this country?

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

Would my right hon. Friend consider making some general announcement before we debate the Charter of the B.B.C., as development of this kind is bound to influence the opinion of the House on the future of broadcasting?

Mr. Ness Edwards

A very full statement will be made about this matter in the annual report of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Mr. Profumo

I have no desire to press the right hon. Gentleman, but I should like to quote his own words, when he said: Research has discovered an entirely new consequence."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 19th July, 1951; Vol. 490; c. 1547.] That can have nothing to do with commercial rivalry, and what is the new consequence which has led him to believe that he should go no further in the development of V.H.F.? Will he tell the radio industry what the new consequences are so that it can go ahead with V.H.F.?

Mr. Ness Edwards

V.H.F. will go forward. What I said was against a declaration on the part of the Post Office as to whether or not amplitude modulation should have preference over frequency modulation. A certain matter has arisen and, because of that, I want to give further consideration to it.

Mr. Snow

Will my right hon. Friend resist demands from Members opposite to disclose commercial secrets?

Mr. Profumo

In view of the muddled thinking—[Interruption.]—and of the unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment, after the Recess, if there is a Government in office with whom to raise it.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Gammans.

Air Commodore Harvey

On a point of Order. May I seek your guidance, Mr. Speaker? On 26th July I handed in at the Table Question No. 72. It was addressed to the Prime Minister. As the Question affects three Ministries—the Treasury, the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Civil Aviation—and involves something like £15 million of taxpayers' money, is it right that this Question should have been relegated from the Prime Minister to a junior Minister? I was notified from 10, Downing Street, only yesterday that this Question had been so transferred.

Mr. Speaker

It has nothing to do with me. I have no power whatsoever. I cannot help it.