HC Deb 02 May 1951 vol 487 cc1156-7
6. Mr. Janner

asked the Postmaster-General when the plans are to be announced for nation-wide broadcasting coverage by the very high frequency method.

Mr. Ness Edwards

B.B.C. proposals for a frequency modulated very high frequency broadcasting system are being examined. These far reaching proposals must be carefully considered and it is much too early for me to make any announcement about them.

Mr. Janner

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Sir Noel Ashbridge, the Chie[...] Technical Director of the B.B.C., said that there was no reason why this system should not be introduced and also pointed out that it was urgently needed in view of the serious deterioration on the medium wave because of almost gross overcrowding? Will he go into the matter as speedily as he can?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I am going into the matter as speedily as I can, but what is involved here is a question of capital investment and that is a question which is not easily settled.

Mr. H. Fraser

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the question of frequency modulation is basic to the whole future of British broadcasting and that he should at least be spending money in experiments? We are dragging behind the rest of the world in this matter.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The experiments have been completed and there is a report based on them. There is the Television Advisory Committee which has to be consulted, and I shall await their report about the type of modulation which should be employed, whether either the frequency modulation or the amplitude modulation only should be adopted or whether there should be a mixture of both. This is a very important technical question.

Mr. Fraser

When will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement?