HC Deb 23 November 1967 vol 754 cc1475-7
20. Earl of Dalkeith

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will initiate a survey in Edinburgh to ascertain the implication of the recent changes in the British Broadcasting Corporation's long wavelength programmes, in as far as they affect pensioners and others with limited means who are unable to afford very high frequency receiving equipment.

26. Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the steps which have recently been taken to improve reception of Radio 2 in Scotland.

38. Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet taken action to improve the reception of the British Broadcasting Corporation's Radio 2 in Scotland.

Mr. Edward Short

As my hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. G. Campbell) in answer to his Question on 9th November, the B.B.C. is carrying out tests to establish more precisely the extent of this problem. It tells me that it has not yet completed this study.—[Vol. 753, c. 144–5.]

Earl of Dalkeith

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that a lot of regular feature programmes are the only bright spots in the lives of a great many elderly people with limited means, and that they are now most distressed to think that they may be denied these programmes in future unless they can get a V.H.F. set, which they are told to do by the B.B.C. and which they cannot afford?

Mr. Short

I looked at the position in Edinburgh, in the hon. Gentleman's constituency, and provided his constituents' sets are in good order they ought to be able to receive 1,500 metres transmissions satisfactorily. Almost all areas can receive it provided that they use a simple aerial which costs about 5s.

Mr. Taylor

How many complaints have been received by the B.B.C.? How many of these have been from Scotland, and if the survey shows that a lot of new hardship is being caused, will the B.B.C. consider changing wavelengths?

Mr. Short

I do not know how many complaints the B.B.C. has received. I have received a few, not a great many, but I realise that there is a problem here. These stations are broadcasting just as they were before, only at certain hours of the day they are broadcasting a different programme. The B.B.C. is carrying out a survey to see what can be done to help. I agree that people get attached to The Dales and so on and like to hear them.

Mr. Campbell

Is the Postmaster-General aware that there are special gaps in the reception in the North of Scotland and does he think it right that licence holders of many years' standing should have to buy a new set in order to hear familiar programmes because of the recent rearrangement?

Mr. Short

There is this problem in the North of Scotland, the Lake District, the Pennine Valleys and Wales, and many other paces, because of the topography of the country. I agree that it is a problem, but listeners cannot expect the programmes to remain the same forever.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

Would my right hon. Friend agree that old people are always susceptible to exploitation for political purposes by any party, and that this has happened in Scotland? Would he give some assurance that, when the examination has been made and some steps have been taken to improve the service, he will advertise these steps?

Mr. Short

Most certainly. I think that there is a good deal in what my hon. Friend says. I repeat that almost everyone can get the long wave 1,500 metres provided they use a simple aerial. If they want advice on the kind of aerial and what it should consist of, the B.B.C. would be very happy to give it to them. The Droitwich long-wave station has doubled its power during daylight, and that helps a great deal.