HC Deb 25 July 1968 vol 769 cc956-7
3. Mr. Lane

asked the Postmaster-General what steps have been taken to improve the reception of television programmes in mid-Anglia.

Mr. Joseph Slater

Measures to improve the reception of television programmes are a matter for the B.B.C. and I.T.A. in the first place. They tell me that reception of B.B.C.1 and Independent Television is generally satisfactory in Cambridgeshire.

Mr. Lane

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that, contrary to that, a great many viewers in the area are dissatisfied with the reception of B.B.C. programmes, and, particularly now that the Postmaster-General has authorised an increase in licence fees, will he please ask the B.B.C. to take further steps to improve it?

Mr. Slater

It may be that reception is not as good as one would like to see it for people resident in that area, but it must be taken into consideration that there are certain atmospheric conditions in which interference in the area is caused by foreign stations a considerable distance away, and, in the same way, our transmissions interfere with theirs. The House will be interested to know that the B.B.C. has built a large number of low-powered relay stations, including one at Cambridge, which, by providing a stronger signal, reduce the interference problem, and some viewers may also be able to help themselves by consulting a radio dealer about their aerials.

Mr. Speaker

Order. Long answers mean fewer Questions.