§ 24. Mr. Kershawasked the Postmaster-General when he expects to make a decision on the siting of the communications tower in the Wootton-under-Edge area of Gloucestershire.
§ Mr. MawbyI understand that my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Housing and Local Government, is at present studying his Inspector's report on the public inquiry, and a decision will be announced soon.
§ 25. Mr. Kershawasked the Postmaster-General what effect the communications tower to be built in the Wootton-under-Edge area of Gloucestershire will have upon radio and television receivers in the immediate vicinity and upon the behaviour of homing pigeons.
§ Mr. MawbyThis tower will not affect sound broadcasting or television reception in the vicinity, either by its own transmissions or by reflections from its structure. I am sorry I am unable to say what effect the station will have on the behaviour of homing pigeons. The Post Office has many radio stations operating in a manner similar to that proposed for Wootton-under-Edge, and no reports have been received that they adversely affect the homing instinct of those birds.
§ Mr. KershawThose who are interested in homing pigeons will be gratified by 1118 what my hon. Friend said. But is he quite sure of this, because Fylingdales has had a most unfortunate effect on homing pigeons, which fly round it in ever-decreasing circles? Can he assure us that that will not happen in this case, as I live very close to this machine?
§ Mr. MawbyFrom all my information—and I particularly made special inquiries about this—I am reasonably sure that the emissions from the tower should not affect these birds, and I trust that the reverse will be equally true.