HC Deb 19 July 1972 vol 841 cc602-3
19. Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what representations he has received in the past month to increase radio services to Eastern Europe; and whether he will make a statement.

22. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications how many British Broadcasting Corporation local radio stations will be allowed to broadcast on medium wave; when such transmissions will begin; and whether he is satisfied that they will be consistent with British obligations under the Copenhagen Agreement.

Sir J. Eden

The only request made has been in respect of the service to Albania. I have, however, authorised the BBC to change its medium frequency dispositions in order to give the external services one more channel to Europe and to provide some of the medium frequency back-up for the BBC and IBA local radio stations. This will be achieved partly by cutting out the regional Radio 4 programme variations in England and so reducing the number of frequencies needed; partly by withdrawing one of the medium frequencies used in some places for Radio 3. The BBC tells me that it may start local radio MF transmissions in September.

The Government have no intention of departing from the Copenhagen Convention.

Mr. Judd

Does the Minister appreciate that the BBC has an outstanding record of objectivity in these services, which are greatly appreciated by those who are able to listen to them in the East? Will he do everything possible, in consultation with the BBC, to ensure that there is similar coverage to non-democratic countries in Western Europe? Will he consult other Ministers to ensure that any governmental support to Radio Liberty or Radio Free Europe in the corporation's future programmes will also be on condition that it extends its services to non-democratic countries in Western Europe as well as to Eastern Europe?

Sir J. Eden

The extent of the BBC's external services is a question for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, but the two channels which will now become available will allow for separate transmissions to East and West Europe.

Mr. Whitehead

The services provided by the BBC external service and BBC local radio respectively are much esteemed and in so far as they will be strengthened the Minister's announcement will be welcomed. Will the back-up facilities to be provided for local radio be for all the BBC local radio stations and will those facilities be available by at least the same time as the competing commercial radio stations come on the air?

Sir J. Eden

I indicated in my reply that the BBC hopes to start local radio broadcasting on MF in September so that those stations will be considerably in advance of the IBA local stations. I cannot say whether all will start at the same time but the intention will be to provide MF back-up for all 20.

Mr. Spence

On the subject of improving local BBC radio services, will my right hon. Friend the Minister say what his intentions are for the power output of the Sheffield local radio station?

Sir J. Eden

Both the Sheffield and the Leeds stations will have medium frequency transmissions as a result of what I have just announced. This therefore will improve the service to those areas.

Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

Does all this mean that the Minister has now completed his planning of frequencies and will he be publishing his conclusions so that we can study them in the House?

Sir J. Eden

My answer will be reported in Hansard and the hon. Member will have an opportunity to look at it in greater detail. I apologise that it must have appeared somewhat complicated as I read it.