§ 7. Mr. H. Clarkasked the Postmaster-General whether the British Broadcasting Corporation has yet completed its survey of radio reception in Northern Ireland on 224 metres; and what have been its findings.
§ Mr. BevinsYes, Sir. The B.B.C. tells me that there has been some increase in fading at night in the outer parts of the service area. To remedy this, the B.B.C. proposes to make an adjustment to the mast at Lisnagarvey. As this will take some weeks to do and meanwhile service would have to be maintained from a temporary aerial, the B.B.C. proposes to do the job in the summer when listening after dark is at a minimum.
§ Mr. ClarkI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does not he agree that it is rather a cart-before-the-horse principle to give us a service and then suddenly to decide that an adjustment of the masts is needed? Apart from that consideration, will my right hon. Friend make certain that, if these adjustments to the mast are not successful when the B.B.C. goes into the fourth stage satellite relay scheme, Northern Ireland will get its fair share so that we have a decent service throughout the country and not just round Belfast?
§ Mr. BevinsIt is true that the change in the wavelength has enabled Northern Ireland services to benefit the great majority of listeners in Northern Ireland. 1124 When the adjustment to the mast takes place, reception in certain areas will be better than it is at present. On my hon. Friend's last point, the B.B.C. plans to open low power V.H.F. sound stations at Lame and Newry where reception is indifferent at present.