43. Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewingasked the Postmaster-General how many and what total duration of, breakdowns occurring in the British Broadcasting Corporation Television Service during 1950 were due to faults in the General Post Office lines or radio links; and what percentage, both in number and duration, were these of the total breakdowns.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIn 1950 nine breakdowns in vision, with a total duration of 49 minutes, were due to faults in Post Office lines or radio links; I understand from the B.B.C. that these amounted to 7.1 per cent. and 5.1 per cent., respectively, of the totals. Additionally, there was one breakdown of five minutes in sound associated with television due to a fault in a Post Office link.
Mr. Orr-EwingIs the Postmaster-General aware that the rate of breakdown in the Television Service is 10 times the rate in the United States, and is causing concern to many thousands of television licence holders who have to gaze at the notice. "Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible"?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI was asked about the amount of delay due to Post Office faults, and I have said that there was a delay of only a few minutes over the whole period due to Post Office faults.