HC Deb 20 February 1961 vol 635 cc4-5
3. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the number of hours of broadcasting by the British Broadcasting Corporation overseas services to each of the countries in the Communist bloc; and what proportion of each of these broadcasts is affected and nullified by jamming.

Dr. Hill

With permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. There is good evidence that, in spite of jamming, the B.B.C.'s broadcasts can be heard in many parts of the countries to which they are directed.

Mr. Donnelly

What attention are the Government giving to the possibility of overcoming this jamming? Is there any priority given to technical research to see what can be done, because, if that were the case, it might be of much more use in taking the truth behind the Iron Curtain than dozens of armoured divisions?

Dr. Hill

We need notice of the Question about technical methods and research, but there is good evidence that, despite jamming, there is success in getting through the barrier.

Mr. S. Silverman

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that all ordinary broadcasts in English sent out by the B.B.C. are not jammed at all but are heard in most places all over Eastern Europe, while the only broadcasts subject to jamming are the specifically propaganda ones put out for specific propaganda purposes?

Dr. Hill

The hon. Member is quite right; the teaching of English programmes are not jammed. Perhaps I may add that in the case of Russia about one-quarter of the broadcasts are jammed. It is in general the news broadcasts and the news commentary, but the hon. Member will recall that the B.B.C., with it obligations of impartiality, is responsible for those broadcasts, and the last thing we would wish would be Government interference with or control of those broadcasts.

Following is the information:
Service Number of hours per week broadcast Proportion of programme time affected by jamming
Chinese 5¼ All
Czechoslovak 13¼ All
Rumanian 12¼ All
Bulgarian 10½ All
Hungarian 14¾ All
German 28¼ All in East Germany
Russian 17¾ About 25 per cent. in recent months
Polish 16¼ Nil But heavy jamming by neighbouring Communist countries
Albanian 3½ Nil But heavy jamming by neighbouring Communist countries
In addition, the B.B.C.'s English for Europe programmes are not jammed and can be heard throughout Europe for 17¼ hours a week.