§ 34. Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General what power is used in existing civil types of forward scatter stations; what is to be the increase in future developments; and how far the consultations that are now taking place on the inherent dangers of future developments are dealing solely with high frequency radiation effects.
§ Mr. MarplesThe output from the transmitter is concentrated into a very narrow beam. Along this beam the power is of the order of 10 megawatts; outside the beam it is less than one thousandth part of this. No large increase in power is foreseen in the near future. The consultations referred to in the Answer given the hon. Member on 4th December are concerned solely with the effects of high frequency radiation.
§ Mr. MasonWill the right hon. Gentleman inform the House exactly what the 1115 dangers emanating from these high-power stations are, and to what extent they can affect the operating personnel and the public a large?
§ Mr. MarplesWe have issued a statement agreed by all Government Departments which says that there is no risk to the public from any radio station now in existence in this country. That to some extent answers the hon. Gentleman. I will consider the remainder of his supplementary when I read HANSARD tomorrow.
§ Mr. MasonWhat about future developments? Are we now contemplating building further stations, more high-powered, and are the consultations that are now taking place between his Department and the D.S.I.R. and the Medical Research Council dealing with this problem of danger to the public and to operating personnel?
§ Mr. MarplesThe Post Office do not propose to have any transmissions of higher power in the future. What I will do, if the hon. Gentleman will put a Question down, is to look into the matter.