HC Deb 02 June 1964 vol 695 cc896-7
13. Mr. J. Morris

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will inquire into British Broadcasting Corporation reception in the Port Talbot area.

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Ray Mawby)

The B.B.C. tells me that, provided suitable outside aerials are used, reception of its sound and television services should be satisfactory in most of the Port Talbot area.

Mr. Morris

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that there is general dissatisfaction in many parts of Wales because of the television reception, and that that includes Port Talbot in my constituency? Many parts of Port Talbot are not able to receive the new B.B.C. Wales service at all. Is the hon. Gentleman further aware that within the last few days Red Dragon Relays has been concerned about the construction by the Central Electricity Generating Board of transmission lines which may well obliterate both B.B.C. and I.T.V. reception in this area? In view of the seriousness of the situation, will the hon. Gentleman investigate the possibility of the construction of a low-power station in the area and, secondly, undertake a survey to discover how many people receive the new B.B.C. Wales service in the whole of Wales?

Mr. Mawby

The B.B.C.'s information is that there is quite widespread opportunity for obtaining this station. The B.B.C. has been made aware of the fact that many viewers are trying to obtain the new Channel 13 service on an existing Channel 10 aerial, which obviously will not give perfect reception, and it is trying to publicise the need for fitting the right type of aerial, although it admits that there is a certain amount of ghosting in certain parts as a result of hilly ground, and so on. Nevertheless, I shall notify the B.B.C. of the points made by the hon. Gentleman.