HC Deb 03 May 1950 vol 474 cc201-2W
99. Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will now restore the meteorological broadcasts from Dunstable, which are so useful to so many farmers.

100. Mr. I. Harvey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he will now reintroduce air-met broadcasts in the near future.

102. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware of the value to farmers of the meteorological broadcasts from Dunstable; and if he will now restore these broadcasts

Mr. Beswick

My noble Friend is in consultation with the Postmaster-General and the Secretary of State for Air on the question of allocating a frequency appropriate for the transmission of meteorological broadcasts for aviation purposes but I understand that if such a frequency is obtained it can only be outside the ordinary broadcasting bands.

I have consulted my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General on the suggestion that a service of this kind should continue to be available to farmers and others who have hitherto been able to receive it. As no frequency within the range of normal broadcast receivers can be made available for such a service, the British Broadcasting Corporation has been approached. I am advised, however, that the Corporation does not think it would be possible to increase the scope of weather forecasts in its ordinary service without seriously interfering with the normal programmes.