North-East Scotland
31.
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what television reception tests for North-East Scotland have been made recently by his Department: and with what results.
No such tests have been made by my Department. The B.B.C. has carried out tests from sites in North-East Scotland to see whether they are suitable for a television station. The results are being studied by the Corporation but for the present no work will be done on setting up a station.
Is the hon. Gentleman not aware of the tests made recently in Aberdeen, when the television station at Shotts was opened, during which test photographs of screen pictures were actually taken in Aberdeen, though they were blurred? Does not that indicate that, if strengthened, Shotts station might be used for sending television pictures to Aberdeen?
That is not the Question the hon. and learned Member asked. If he cares to put that down, I will give him an answer.
Is not the hon. Gentleman aware of the test to which I have referred? Is it not his business to know of that test?
It has nothing whatever to do with the Question which the hon. and learned Member has on the Order Paper.
32.
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that there is a demand for television facilities in the North-East of Scotland; and if he will reconsider his decision to postpone the proposed television station for Aberdeen.
My noble Friend realises that there is a demand for television in this, as well as in other parts of the United Kingdom. Provision of a station at Aberdeen was postponed by the last Government owing to defence and economic reasons and for the present he regrets that he cannot alter that decision.
Is the Minister aware that this should not be made a party question and a party answer of that kind given? Does the test to which I have just referred on the previous Question not indicate that the Shotts station could possibly be used, if strengthened, for television in North-East Scotland?
It was not in the least a party answer. I have merely stated what is a fact.
Station, Alexandra Palace (Alternative Site Tests)
35.
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when a decision will be made that television broadcasting be transferred from Alexandra Palace to Crystal Palace; and when the date of such transfer may be.
The B.B.C. is carrying out tests to try and find a suitable site for a new television transmitting station if they have to move from Alexandra Palace when the current lease expires in 1956. Several alternatives are being examined and it is too early to say when a decision will be made.
Does that mean that when the move does take place, studios will be entirely rebuilt on this new site?
It is far too early to give an answer to a point like that.
Small Electric Motors (Interference Suppression)
36.
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when a committee will be appointed under the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949, to study the suppression of interference with wireless telegraphy caused by small electric motors.
My noble Friend has recently appointed an advisory committee from a panel nominated by the President of the Institution of Electrical Engineers with the approval of the Council, to consider the requirements which might be prescribed in Regulations dealing with interference with wireless telegraphy caused by small electric motors. As the list of members is rather long, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
The list is as follows:
The Chairman of the Committee is Mr. J. R. Beard, C.B.E., M.Sc., M.I.C.E., M.I.E.E., Fel. A.I.E.E., and the members are:
- Mr. L. Austin, M.I.P.E.
- Mr. A. H. Ball, A.M.I.E.E.
- Mr. J. I. Bernard, B.Sc., Tech. M.I.E.E.
- Mr. N. R. Bligh, B.Sc. (Eng.), A.M.I.E.E.
- Mr. J. S. Boyd.
- Mr. A. H. Cooper, B.Sc.
- Mrs. M. Courtney, J.P.
- Mr. W. J. Edwards, B.Sc.
- Mr. J. Flood, Associate I.E.E.
- M. F. Gratwick, A.C.I.S.
- Dame Caroline Haslett, D.B.E., Companion I.E.E.
- Mr. H. J. B. Manzoni, C.B.E., M.I.C.E.
- Major C. A. J. Martin, G.C., M.C., B.A., R.E., A.M.I.E.E.
- Mr. W. A. H. Parker, M.I.E.E., Mem.
- A.I.E.E.
- Mr. E. L. E. Pawley. M.Sc. (Eng.), M.I.E.E.
- Mr. G. F. Peirson, M.I.E.E.
- Mrs. C. Renton Taylor.
- Mr. V. A. M. Robertson, C.B.E., M.C., M.I.C.E., M.I.Mech.E., M.I.E.E.
- Mr. W. A. Scarr, M.A.
- Dr. S. Whitehead, Ph.D., M.A., M.I.E.E.
Station, Wenvoe
40.
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what radius will the Wenvoe low-power television transmitter cover.
The B.B.C. expects that the low-powered television transmitter at Wenvoe will provide a satisfactory service to Glamorgan, Monmouth, part of Brecknock, the greater part of Somerset and parts of the adjoining counties. But reception will be more liable to interference, particularly in the fringe areas, than it will when the high-powered transmitter comes into service.
41.
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what studio facilities there will be for Wales when the Wenvoe television transmitter will be in full service.
Television studios are not being provided outside London at present, but outside broadcasts from Wales will be included in the television programmes.
May I ask my hon. Friend whether he considers that this radius will include the county of Cornwall?
That is another question