§ Mr. Godman Irvineasked the Postmaster-General why, although in an Answer to the hon. Member for Rye on 20th June, 1956, his predecessor forecast an improvement in television reception in the Bexhill area by the end of 1957, no English television programme can yet be received until the evening, and then only from the British Broadcasting Corporation; and at what date improvements may be anticipated with any confidence.
§ Mr. MarplesThe increase in the power of the British Broadcasting Corporation's Crystal Palace station at the end of 1957 gives a stronger television signal at Bexhill: but unfortunately high sunspot activity is interfering at times with the afternoon transmissions by bringing about freak reception from foreign stations. This should cease in the next month or so. A date for the extension of independent television to this area has not yet been decided upon.