HC Deb 21 October 1953 vol 518 cc260-1W
56. Captain Orr

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will publish a White Paper on the methods by which frequencies are allocated by his Department.

Mr. Gammans

No. This would involve giving information affecting national defence.

58 and 59. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General (1) whether he has considered the possibility of extending the 87.5 to 100 m/cs. frequency band in order to make possible its use for television; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) whether, in view of the fact that no fewer than 13 m/cs. in the very high frequency range are at present allocated for use by fire and police services operating only about 3,000 vehicles, he will consider reallocating the frequencies for these services in the 87.5 to 100 m/cs. band as a step towards extending this band for the use of television.

Mr. Gammans

The Television Advisory Committee, in its first report, said that this band was too narrow to be of much use for television and proposed that it should be left for the provision of additional sound services. My noble Friend considers that their suggestion, which does not mean disturbing fire and police radio services, is the practical course to follow.