§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether anything is being done to connect by telegraph the island of Sark with Guernsey; and whether he proposes to continue the policy of his predecessor in refusing an offer of Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company to connect Sark with Guernsey by wireless telegraphy without any expense whatever to the Government.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.The Postmaster General has not received any fresh application for the connection by 1124 telegraph of the island of Sark with Guernsey. He was in correspondence with the Attorney General of Guernsey, who took much trouble to obtain the necessary guarantees, but unfortunately without success. The Postmaster General has no reason to suppose that the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company are prepared to maintain permanent telegraphic communication between Sark and Guernsey without charge; and it is, of course, permanent communication that is required.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Marconi Company offered to do this without charge, either permanently or temporarily?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINNo; according to information supplied me by the Postmaster General he has no reason to suppose that the company are willing to maintain the communication permanently.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that the company put their offer in writing?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The question has been answered.