§ 39. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Lord Privy Seal if he is aware that the Soviet Government have now officially stated through the Soviet head of cultural relations, M. Sergei Romanowski, that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is jamming the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts; what recent representations and efforts have been made to end this jamming; what other countries also jam British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SmithersYes, Sir. During the negotiations in January this year for the renewal of the Anglo-Soviet Cultural Agreement, Her Majesty's Government took up once more the Soviet jamming of British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts. There was no change in the Soviet position which was that they jam only those broadcasts which they consider to be hostile and to constitute interference in their internal affairs. Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Roumania, Bulgaria and China also jam British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts. Broadcasts in Polish and Albanian are subject to interference from jammers outside the territories of those countries. Broadcasts in German are jammed in East Germany.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonDo we operate any counter-jamming?
§ Mr. SmithersNo, Sir.