11. Mr. Hay manasked the Postmaster-General when the new television transmitter on North Hessary Tor will be 180 radiating at full power; and what are the limits in West Cornwall to good reception.
Dr. HillThe B.B.C. hopes to have the station working on full power well before the summer and reception should then be satisfactory over practically the whole of Cornwall.
§ Mr. HaymanWill the Postmaster-General inquire whether the B.B.C. is not holding up transmission from this great transmitter because it is waiting for spare parts in case the service should break down? Will he also ask the B.B.C. whether it could not start now on the main transmitter and use the temporary transmitter in case of breakdown?
§ Mr. G. R. HowardIs my right hon. Friend aware that in a letter to me on this subject the B.B.C. informed us that the people of West Cornwall would get satisfactory reception, whereas the engineers of the B.B.C. say that that is not the case? Can he therefore ask the B.B.C. to ensure that there is adequate reception over the whole of Cornwall?
Dr. HillI understand it is hoped that reception will be satisfactory for practically the whole area. There is some doubt about the south-western tip of Cornwall, but we must await events.
§ 12. Mr. Haymanasked the Postmaster-General when very high frequency transmissions will begin from the transmitter at North Hessary Tor; and what kind of reception people in West Cornwall may expect.
Dr. HillThe B.B.C. expects to start transmission this summer. It hopes that reception will be satisfactory in most parts of West Cornwall, but only experience will show what can actually be achieved.
§ Mr. HaymanWill the Postmaster-General ask the B.B.C. to consider putting a booster transmitter on the 800 foot contour line south of Redruth if West Cornwall does not get good reception?