§ Mr. BAKERasked the Postmaster-General the total number of broadcasting licences, the number of experimental licences, the number of licences for crystal sets, and the number of licences for valve sets in each of the broadcasting station areas?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNThe total number of broadcast receiving licences on the 29th February was approximately 636,000, and of experimental receiving licences 56,000. As licensees may instal either valve or crystal sets, there is no information available as regards the relative proportions1968W of the various kinds of apparatus; but crystal sets are believed to preponderate largely.
§ Mr. BAKERasked the Postmaster-General whether he will have an inquiry made, and a Report published, as to the various types of broadcasting stations in Europe and America, giving details as to transmission, wave length, power, and times, together with the names of the owners of such stations and the extent to which they are owned and controlled by the respective Governments?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNThis matter was investigated by the Broadcasting Committee, whose Report was published in August last as Command Paper No. 1951. Particulars of the arrangements in Australia, Canada and the United States are given in Appendix C of the Report. In general, broadcasting on the Continent of Europe is at present not largely developed.
§ Mr. BAKERasked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to prevent amateurs transmitting spark, continuous wave length, and telephony during broadcasting hours?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNAmateurs are forbidden to transmit on a wavelength within the band allocated to broadcasting during broadcasting hours. The question of discontinuing all amateur transmission by spark apparatus is under consideration in conjunction with the other Government Departments concerned; but the prohibition ofall amateur transmission during broadcasting programmes (which the hon. Member apparently suggests) would not, in my opinion, be in the public interests.