HC Deb 28 May 1900 vol 83 c1513
SIR J. LENG

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he is aware that the Marconi system of wireless telegraphy is now used by the American, French, and German Transatlantic steamships, fifty of the Gorman steamers having been supplied with the apparatus; and whether, as none of the British Transatlantic liners have adopted the Marconi system because the Postal Telegraphic Department objects to their using it within the three miles limit, the Department will consider the expediency of removing a restriction which places British at a disadvantage as compared with foreign mercantile steamers.

MR. HANBURY

The Postmaster General has no information as to the extent to which the Marconi system of wireless telegraphy has been adopted by the Transatlantic steamships of other nations. The Postmaster General is quite prepared to grant the Marconi Company a licence if suitable terms can be arranged.