§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when officials from the Radiocommunications Agency met representatives of Dolphin Telecommunications Ltd. of Basingstoke to discuss television interference in the vicinity of their mast at Deptford, Wilshire; what advice the Agency gave to(a) local residents and (b) Dolphin Communications; and if he will make a statement. [5863]
§ Mr. AlexanderOfficials from the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) of my Department and Dolphin Telecommunications Ltd. first discussed television interference affecting residents adjacent to Dolphin's mast at Deptford, Wiltshire on 23 February. Subsequently, the RA carried out a detailed investigation into the problem which established that the interference was due to the use of masthead amplifiers fitted to the affected TV installations. The mast head amplifiers were intended to improve reception from the Rowridge TV transmitter but were also inadvertently picking up signals from the Dolphin transmitter.
RA tests showed that a suitable filter fitted between the amplifier and the TV aerial could resolve the interference and the affected residents were recommended to have such filters fitted to their TV installations. The RA established that Dolphin were operating within licence conditions. If any residents still have interference problems they should consult an aerial contractor for advice on fitting a suitable filter.