asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to improve broadcasting reception in the Furness district of Lancashire.

My right hon. Friend understands from the B.B.C. that the Light Programme should 'be received satisfactorily on the long wavelength. Reception of the Home Service is unsatisfactory; this is one of the areas in which the B.B.C. hopes to make an improvement.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask the B.B.C. governors to consider whether their first duty is not to see that everyone in the country can hear the aural programme before spending money on other developments?

Programme reception is constantly reviewed by the B.B.C. and improvements have been made but this is a very difficult problem, particularly in the Barrow area.