§ 3. Mr. Costainasked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to improve the British Broadcasting Corporation television reception in Romney Marsh.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterImprovements in the quality of television reception in particular localities are primarily the responsibility of the broadcasting authorities.
The B.B.C. tell me that though reception in some parts of Romney Marsh is poor at times, there are places where it is worse; and they must come first.
§ Mr. CostainDoes the Postmaster-General not agree that his letter of 9th August and his private secretary's letter of 23rd August admit that the television service of the B.B.C. is unsatisfactory on Romney Marsh? Does he not also agree that in the same letter he admits that the I.T.V. service is satisfactory? Is he satisfied with this situation? If not, will 140 he allow private enterprise to get on with giving an efficient television service?
§ Mr. SlaterThe power of the B.B.C. station at Dover has to be restricted to a low value to avoid causing interference to other television stations operating on the same channel. The I.T.A. Dover station can transmit, I agree, on a higher power, according to my information, resulting in better reception on Romney Marsh. Moreover, Band III frequencies which have been allocated to the I.T.A. are less susceptible to interference from Continental stations than the Band I frequencies allocated to the B.B.C.