HC Deb 30 July 1952 vol 504 cc1479-80
40. Mr. Hayman

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will request the British Broadcasting Corporation to secure a site for the proposed television transmitter for South Devon and Cornwall which will provide satisfactory reception for the whole area, instead of securing a site on North Hesary Tor which would isolate most of West Cornwall from effective reception.

Mr. Gammans

The B.B.C. inform me that it would not be possible to find a site from which satisfactory service could be given over the whole of Cornwall as well as those parts of Devon outside the effective range of Wenvoe.

Mr. Hayman

May I ask the Minister to request the B.B.C. to reconsider their decision, because as yet they have carried out no tests whatever as to whether a suitable site can be found to give effective reception to South Devon and the whole of Cornwall? Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the site which the B.B.C. have selected is in the Dartmoor National Park? Will he ask the B.B.C. to reconsider this?

Mr. Gammans

The B.B.C. have not yet asked the Post Office to acquire any site.

Brigadier Rayner

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that we in Devonshire, too, are very unhappy about the proposed site for this television mast, and are not a bit satisfied that a full reconnaissance has been carried out? Will he look further into this matter?

Mr. Gammans

I will convey the remarks of the two hon. Gentlemen to the B.B.C.