§ 48. Mrs. Mannasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many television sets he estimates are in use in Scotland; and how many licences have been taken out.
§ Mr. GammansNearly 21,000 television licences were current in Scotland on 30th June. I am not able to give a precise estimate of the number of sets in use.
§ 54. Commander Donaldsonasked the Assistant Postmaster-General if, in view of the poor reception of the present British Broadcasting Corporation's sound wireless services in the Scottish borders, he will press for the employment of very high frequency wavelengths; and if he will give an indication as to when such wavelengths will come into use
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§ Mr. GammansIn view of the national economic situation and the consequent restriction of capital investment, I regret that I cannot say when the B.B.C. is likely to be able to introduce very high frequency broadcasting. The technical problems involved in providing this new form of service, including the type of modulation to be adopted, will be considered by the committee which is also to advise on television.
§ 55. Commander Donaldsonasked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the poor standard of television reception in the Scottish borders; and if, in view of conflicting reports in the past few months, he will now make an authoritative statement as to when the high-power transmitter at the Kirk o'Shotts television station will be put into operation.
§ Mr. GammansThe B.B.C. inform me that, even with a high power transmitter, it would not be possible to guarantee reliable reception of television programmes throughout the Scottish borders. The high power transmitter will, however, give a better service than at present and the Corporation expects shortly to fix a date for bringing it into operation.