§ 6. Brigadier Raynerasked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet received a reply to his representations to the Soviet Government about their radio transmissions affecting the British Broadcasting Corporation's Home Service programme.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 29th January.
§ Brigadier RaynerHas it been established yet whether the Russian stations are within the Copenhagen Convention area; and is not it a fact that France and Spain have both collaborated to remove this interference and that the Soviets are being as unhelpful as usual?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIt has not yet been ascertained that the transmission is within the Copenhagen Convention area. The Russians require technical information about any interference there has been in order to see what they can do about it.
§ Mr. SpearmanIs it not a fact that in the North-Eastern area—
§ Mr. SpeakerThere is a later question dealing with the North-Eastern area.
§ 11. Mr. Woodasked the Postmaster-General what representations he has made on the subject of interference to radio reception to the North-East coast; and with what result.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI would refer the hon. Member to my answers to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 14th December and 29th January. I understand that the B.B.C. are seeing what they can do to eliminate the interference on the northeast coast between their European Service and the Light Programme.
§ Mr. WoodDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that a great deal of time has elapsed since I last asked about this interference, and can he undertake to give a definite answer in the very near future about those representations which have been made?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI have already reported to the House about interference from Spain. The adjustments within the Copenhagen plan which would be necessary to deal with those two programmes would take some time.
§ Mr. SpearmanIs the Postmaster-General aware that at Scarborough on Sunday last, as often before, the B.B.C. musical performance was completely ruined by bad reception due, apparently, not to foreign interference and distortion but fading transmission? Will he make such changes in the B.B.C. as will ensure greater efficiency in future?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI have no authority to make any changes at all in the B.B.C. That is a matter that the House has passed to their control, but I certainly will make representations in accordance with the complaint of the hon. Member.
§ Mr. WoodCan the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to give a definite answer to this question?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI will inquire from the B.B.C. when they can let me have a final answer.