§ Sir R. Rankinasked the Postmaster-General whether, as a result of the investigations carried on into the development of short-wave broadcasting by various foreign countries steps are contemplated in the near future to extend the duration and improve the quality of our own Empire short-wave broadcasting service?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI am informed by the British Broadcasting Corporation that no immediate extension of the duration of the Empire short-wave broadcasting service is contemplated. The service has been progressively extended since it began in 1932 and now covers over 18 hours in every 24. I understand that a steady and continuous advance is being made in the quality of the programmes and that reports from all over the world have shown that technical reception of 3343W the service has been considerably improved since the recent opening of two new high-power transmitters at the Daventry station.