§ 29. Mr. H. Clarkasked the Postmaster-General what steps are being taken to improve reception of British Broadcasting Corporation sound radio in Northern Ireland, in view of the widespread complaints which have followed the recent change to a new wavelength.
§ Mr. BevinsThe recent change in wavelength for the Northern Ireland20W Home Service has, by enabling the Northern Ireland and North-East England services to be separated, benefited the great majority of listeners in Northern Ireland, and I am sorry that some find that their reception is now worse.
The normal survey which the B.B.C. makes after a change of this sort has not been made because of the recent weather but it is now about to start and, until the results of it are known, I cannot say what can be done to improve matters.
The B.B.C. is developing its VHF sound service and, when the Enniskillen station is opened later this year, some 95 per cent. of listeners in Northern Ireland will be able to get all three sound services on VHF.