§ 3. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Postmaster-General whether the membership of the Advisory Committee under the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949, is complete; how long after the passing of the Act the Committee was nominated; when its first meeting was held; when its last meeting was held; and what advice it has given to him.
§ Mr. HobsonTwo committees were set up on 26th July, 1950, to consider, in the one case, interference from the ignition systems of certain internal combustion engines, and, in the other, interference from refrigeration apparatus. They are complete in membership. The committee considering ignition systems had its first meeting on 13th September, 1950, and its most recent one on 17th November, 1950; that for refrigeration apparatus met first on 14th September, 1950, and most recently on 26th February, 1951. Neither committee is yet ready to make recommendations.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIs the hon. Gentleman aware that on 3rd May last year I asked him what measures he would be prepared to take concerning the suppression, in particular, of interference from motor car engines with television reception? Is it not incredible that this committee, which was set up under an Act passed in 1949, and which first met in 1950, has still made no recommendations on such a simple problem?
§ Mr. HobsonI disagree. It is not a simple problem; it is a very difficult one. In view of the consultations which had to take place, as was made perfectly clear during the Committee stage of the Bill, I cannot agree that there has been undue delay.
§ Mr. ShepherdAs we are allowing an increasing number of newly manufactured vehicles to come on to the market without suppressors, thus increasing the problem, can the Assistant Postmaster-General say when he expects that the committee will be able to make its recommendations?
§ Mr. HobsonNo, I cannot say, but, like the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. Langford-Holt), I realise the importance of an early report, and we will do what we can.