§ 37. Mr. Robensasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the reason given for the non-allocation of a separate wavelength for Northern listeners was that none was available; that, subsequently, two further wavelengths were allocated to the B.B.C. Third Programme; and whether he will now consider separating the Northern Region from Northern Ireland in the near future.
§ Mr. BurkeThe answer to the first part of the Question, which presumably refers to my reply to my hon. Friend on 2otb November, is in the affirmative. The statement in the second part is not understood No additional wavelength has been allocated to the Third Programme since that programme started on 29th September. The post-war allocation of wavelengths available for broadcasting in this country between the various programmes, including the Third Programme and the North Regional and Northern Ireland Regional programmes, were all worked out by the B.B.C. and approved by the Government as a single scheme. I regret that my noble Friend cannot consider any alteration of the present arrangements in the near future.
§ Mr. Robensasked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of wireless licences taken out in the area covered of the Northern Region giving the figures for Northern Ireland separately.
§ Mr. BurkeThe estimated number of broadcast receiving licences in the area covered by the B.B.C Northern Region is 3,198,000. Northern Ireland forms a separate B.B.C. Region and the number of such licences current there is approximately 153,000. If, however, my hon Friend is referring to the part of the Northern Region which is only covered 145W by transmissions from Stagshaw transmitting station whose wavelength is shared with that of Northern Ireland, the number of licences can be roughly taken as 532,000.