§ Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridgeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware that the reception of BBC broadcasts in Kenya is very variable and generally less good than that of transmissions from other countries; whether they will take steps through the BBC to improve this, in view of the importance of Kenya both to this country and to its neighbours in East Africa; whether there are plans for a "booster" station in the Seychelles which would greatly improve reception and, if so, when such improvement may be expected.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Belstead)The capital programme agreed with the BBC last year provides for a relay station to improve audibility in East and Southern Africa and the Horn. Construction is planned to take place between 1985 and 1988. We are in close contact with the BBC about possible sites and the Seychelles is one of them.