§ 23 and 24. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Assistant Postmaster-General (1) how many frequencies for commercial television were provided in the national broadcasting plan put forward at Stockholm in June, 1952, by the British delegation;
(2) whether the national broadcasting plan for double television coverage put forward by the British delegation at Stockholm in June, 1952, still represents the policy of the Government.
§ 34. Sir L. Plummerasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether the reservation made by the United Kingdom delegation at the European Broadcasting Conference held at Stockholm, and included in the protocol and agreement, cover the present use of Band III in this country.
§ Mr. GammansA plan was put forward at the Stockholm Conference which envisaged double television coverage but did not stipulate that Band III would be used either by the B.B.C. or by any other television interests. What our delegation did was to submit a draft plan envisaging the whole of Band III for the purpose of television, in order to safeguard our position within that Band. This plan showed proposals of a provisional nature for 28 television stations, but the United Kingdom delegation reserved freedom of action with regard to the actual use of frequencies in Band III for purposes other than television.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that the plan put 1273 forward for double coverage was the B.B.C.'s plan which had been accepted by the inter-departmental committee and authorised by the Cabinet and was accepted at Stockholm, and that in the plan there was no provision for commercial television?
§ Mr. GammansNo pledge whatever has been given to the B.B.C. that it will be allowed double coverage before its competitors have single coverage.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsWith all due respect, is not the position—the hon. Gentleman is dodging the question—that the British delegation was sent to Stockholm with the B.B.C.'s plan which had been accepted and authorised by the Cabinet and contained no provision for commercial television?
§ Mr. GammansThe plan which the British delegation took to Stockholm was the responsibility of the Post Office.
Mr. C. I. Orr-EwingIs my hon. Friend aware that there would be deep resentment if the Post Office went to international conferences already committed about the allocation of frequencies? [HON. MEMBERS; "Why?"] There would be deep resentment in the country because the present procedure is that we submit plans to international meetings for the broad allocation of frequencies, and the individual allocations are made afterwards by my hon. Friend's Department, which must not be committed beforehand.
§ 28. Mr. Haymanasked the Assistant Postmaster-General which channel was applied for and granted at the 1952 Stockholm Conference for a British Broadcasting Corporation television transmitter for Cornwall; and if he will give an assurance that such a transmitter will take precedence over commercial television.
§ 29. Mr. G. Robertsasked the Assistant Postmaster-General what channel was applied for, and granted, for a television transmitter in North Wales at the Stockholm Conference in 1952; and if he will give an assurance that the provision of such a transmitter will take precedence over commercial television.
§ 38. Mr. Peartasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how far labour and materials required to put into use the 1274 frequency for television allotted to Cumberland at the 1952 Stockholm Conference will take precedence over those required for competitive television.
§ 39. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how far the labour and materials required to put into use the frequency allotted at the Stockholm Conference for a television transmitter to the north of Scotland will take precedence over those required for commercial television.
§ Mr. GammansThe Stockholm Conference assigned frequencies as follows;
North Wales; 189.75 and 214.75 megacycles per second for vision and 186.25 and 211.25 megacycles per second for the associated sound.
Cornwall; 194.75 and 214.75 megacycles per second for vision and 191.25 and 211.25 megacycles per second for sound.
These assignments were made in accordance with a provisional plan tabled by the United Kingdom. I cannot at present give any information about the time-table for the erection of further B.B.C. television stations additional to those recently authorised, or of commercial stations.
§ Mr. HaymanWill the Minister give an assurance that the whole of Cornwall will get a satisfactory television service before any part of the country gets an alternative service?
§ Mr. GammansThe hon. Member had better wait until we have the White Paper on television in the autumn.
§ Mr. G. R. HowardWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that certain parts of West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are experiencing difficulty and that they should not be left out of this?
§ Mr. GammansThere is no question whatever of leaving them out. It is merely a question as to when the expenditure to cover them can justifiably be sanctioned.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not a fact, as the hon. Gentleman's answer indicates, that the North of Scotland will be still further prejudiced with regard to television? Does he not think that in common fairness the North of Scotland should have 1275 one television station before any other part of the country gets two stations?
§ Mr. GammansAs I said last week, the extreme North of Scotland is not within the range of any programme of television extension yet envisaged.
§ Mr. HughesWhy not bring it within range?
§ 35. Mr. Hobsonasked the Assistant Postmaster-General what representations have been received from countries represented at the 1952 Stockholm Conference against the use now being made in this country of frequencies in Band III.
§ Mr. GammansNone, Sir.
§ Mr. HobsonDoes that reply mean that there has been no breach of the Atlantic City Convention and that all the allocations have been in strict conformity with the Stockholm Conference?
§ Mr. GammansNo. What is means is that I have answered the hon. Member's Question. He asked whether any representations have been made, and the answer is that none at all have been made.
§ Captain OrrIs it not of the greatest importance that as many channels as possible in this band should be freed as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. ShackletonWill the Minister give serious consideration to resisting any pressure that may come from certain—only certain—hon. Members to interfere with the defence of the country by taking essential services away from Band III?
§ Mr. GammansI should have thought that the hon. Member did not need any assurance on that point. We are not likely to put pure entertainment before the defence of the country.