Radio Manx

HC Deb 16 February 1967 vol 741 c790

42. Mr. Crouch

asked the Postmaster-General if he will seek to visit Radio Manx officially to see what lessons can be learnt from that experiment.

Mr. Edward Short

No, Sir. But I have had the benefit of a discussion with the chairman of Radio Manx, who came to see me.

Mr. Crouch

Does not the Postmaster-General consider that there is an excellent opportunity for examining how commercial radio can be run in the British Isles, and that here is a case of one being run in a licensed form? Does he not think that it should be closely examined, either by himself or by his senior officers?

Mr. Short

I do not know how many times I must say this, but I have examined the experiment of Radio Manx very carefully. I spent a whole afternoon with Mr. Mayer and I have his book, which I read with great care.

Mr. Bryan

Does the Postmaster-General appreciate that if he visited Radio Manx he would come to the conclusion that the lining up of nine B.B.C. stations to show their paces is not an experiment but a sham?

Mr. Short

Then the hon. Gentleman's visit to Radio 270 apparently explains his attitude towards the pirate radios.