§ MR. JOHN CAMPBELL (Armagh, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the approximate cost of the various systems of wireless telegraphy recently employed in Somaliland; whether he is aware that the wireless system was thoroughly tested during the German army manœuvres last autumn, and failed; and whether he can inform the House what system of field telegraphy has been adopted in Germany, Austria and the United States.
§ MR. BRODRICKIt is not possible at present to calculate the cost of wireless telegraphy in Somaliland. I am aware that the wireless system was tested during the German army manœuvres last year, and judging from the information received, it did not fail. Several wireless systems have been under trial in Germany, Austria, and the United States, but none appear to have been adopted; the other systems of field telegraphy in vogue in these countries are practically the same as that adopted in the British Army.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Is it the case that the system tried in Somaliland is not that in use by the Army, but that used in the Navy?
§ MR. BRODRICKThat would not be entirely accurate. We applied to the Marconi Company to give us the best installation they could for Somaliland, but they were not yet in a position to supply us with the requirements of the field service.
§ MR JOHN CAMPBELLWhat system has been adopted for the British Army?
§ MR. BRODRICKI cannot reply to that.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, W.)What effect has wireless telegraphy on the Somali natives?
§ [No answer was returned.]