§ 88. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make extra provision for transmitters for the British Broadcasting Corporation external service to combat jamming in eastern Europe, Iraq and elsewhere.
§ Mr. EggarWe are spending over £100 million this decade to improve the audibility of the BBC external services overseas and to combat both intentional and unintentional interference. Provision has been made for new transmitters within this programme to strengthen the signals to both eastern Europe and the Middle East. New satellite links have already improved signals from the overseas relay stations.
§ 93. Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to make the external services of the British Broadcasting Corporation available by means of satellites to provide a worldwide television news and educational service.
§ Mr. EggarWe shall be discussing with the BBC External Services in January 1986 the feasibility of their mounting an external television service concentrating initially on news and current affairs. There are formidable technical and funding problems which will need to be overcome before such a service can be introduced.