asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state how much money has been spent on the development of the short-wave station since February, 1948, and when it is expected that it will be completed and giving regular broadcasts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Short-wave Station.
Of the expenditure initiated since February, 1948, on the short-wave broadcasting station the amount that has been spent is £2,054. The transmitter, with the associated equipment, has been completed, but I am not so far in a position to make a statement about giving regular broadcasts.
I think, however, I should tell the House that the general position about short-wave broadcasting has recently worsened very materially. A conference held in Italy which was expected to complete a plan of allocation of wavelengths to stations failed to produce a plan. In normal conditions it appears that agreement on a plan would have been difficult as the demands for wavelengths far exceeded the supply, but the strained international situation put an end to any hope of an agreed plan. It is also the case that relatively very few receiving sets in the United States of America are equipped with facilities for short-wave reception. These matters will have to be taken carefully into account in deciding whether there should be regular transmissions from this station. The whole position is under review between my Department and the Department of External Affairs.
Can the Minister say whether the agreements arrived at at the conference in Mexico with regard to short wavelength allocations still stand?
The meeting in Mexico collapsed for no particular reason other than the international situation and each country is using any wavelength it can use. There is no hope of a settlement at this time.
Was there not an understanding between some countries and this country?
There was an agreement for a plan, but no agreement with regard to wavelengths.