HC Deb 22 November 1966 vol 736 cc263-4W
Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent-it is his policy to expand the overseas service of the British Broadcasting Corporation in step with the increase in the number of potential listeners in those countries where it is heard.

Mrs. White

The hon. Member probably has in mind the growth of medium wave audiences in areas now served by short wave. Quite apart from the problem of finding suitable sites for the relay station which would be needed to reach these audiences, the considerable capital cost involved can only be met at the expense of other work which may be of at least equal priority. The problem is however under continuous examination and I hope steady progress can be made.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish a list of those foreign countries in which the British Broadcasting Corporation's overseas broadcasts are heard; and what he estimates the audience to be in each.

Mrs. White

The British Broadcasting Corporation's broadcasts can be heard world-wide although in many places the standard of audibility is lower than we would wish; comprehensive data on audiences is difficult to provide but information on audience studies in various areas is published in the Annual Report and Accounts of the British Broadcasting Corporation for 1965–66 (Cmd. 3122).

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by how much he estimates the British Broadcasting Corporation's external audience to have grown in the last 10 years.

Mrs. White

I doubt whether any very reliable or useful figure can be given. The Annual Report and Accounts of the British Broadcasting Corporation for 1965–66 (Cmd. 3122) estimates a 123 per cent. increase in world radio set ownership during the past 10 years and it is reasonable to assume that the British Broadcasting Corporation's overseas services have benefited from this increase.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to increase the impact of British overseas broadcasts.

Mrs. White

We are trying, within the limitations imposed by the finance and other factors, to improve the audibility of British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts by the modernisation of United Kingdom facilities and the building of relay stations overseas.