asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to free the British West Indies from American broadcasting monopoly by arranging for a British service to cover the area between British Guiana and the Bahamas?

I am not aware that there is any reason to apprehend the establishment of an American broadcasting monopoly in the British West Indies and adjoining Colonies, but I can promise that any proposals which may be submitted for the establishment of a British service will be carefully considered. No such proposals have reached my right hon. Friend hitherto.

Is it not a fact that the people of the West Indies at present are only able to get the American broadcast?

That obviously depends on the sensitiveness of their receiving sets.

Would it not be well to take steps to ascertain from the Governors exactly what the present position is, and what steps are possible to overcome this American broadcasting monopoly?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for a British subject it is practically impossible to get any British news when he is in the West until he gets east of Bermuda?

It is a fact that it is impossible to get reception in certain areas and that it is extremely difficult to cut out American stations in the Caribbean area. As I have said in my answer, any proposals for the establishment of a British broadcast transmitting station in that area will be most sympathetically considered.

Is not the matter of such importance to the Empire as a whole that the right hon. Gentleman's Department should take some initiative in it?

As the Noble Lord knows, the question of broadcasting in the British Empire was discussed at the Governors' Conference, and no doubt will come up both at the Imperial Conference and at the next Colonial Office Conference. It consists of technical difficulties much more than political difficulties.

Cannot the broadcasting people put up a station there?

Not the British Broadcasting Corporation. They have no power to do so under their charter.

Is it not a fact that, so far from being a matter of importance, it is largely a matter of Imperial fudge?

Not at all.