HC Deb 10 August 1904 vol 140 cc137-8

[SECOND READING.]

Order for the Second Reading read.

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, Wethoughton

There are two principles that I have endeavoured to embody in this Bill: first, that safety for the nation in time of danger should be secured by the Government being allowed to exercise control over wireless telegraphy, and, secondly, that we should not allow a big monopoly to grow up which, at some time, the State might have to purchase. The advisability of securing the latter is very obvious when one regards the results of the telephone monopoly. Fears have been entertained in certain quarters that this Bill would be in some way harmful. I have endeavoured to meet, and I think that in each case I have succeeded in meeting, the views of hon. Members who entertained those fears by Amendments which will be passed by agreement. The class with whom I have the greatest sympathy are those who wish to go in for experiments in this science, and I have been able to frame a clause which will give absolute freedom in that direction, merely requiring registration on the part of those who wish to engage in experiments. In a matter of this description the House will doubtless desire that the Act should be administered as liberally as possible, and I shall certainly do my best in that direction. For what it is worth I will give an undertaking that no request for a licence for experiments shall be refused unless the refusal has been approved by me personally. I will also insert a clause limiting the operation of the Bill to two years, so that at the end of that period, with the experience that will then have been gained, any necessary alterations may be made.

Motion made, and Question proposed. "That the Bill be now read a second time."

MR. LOUGH, (Islington, W.)

who had given notice of his intention to move the rejection of the Bill, said he would agree to the Second Reading only on the understanding that substantial Amendments were to be placed on the Paper in the sense indicated by the noble Lord, for the purpose of minimising, if not altogether removing, the objections entertained to the Bill. Having been a long time in the House, he was naturally somewhat sceptical about the promises of Ministers, and he was not at all sure that the Amendments which had been promised would be such as to make it possible to regard the Bill with any favour. He objected to a Bill of this character being rushed through at such an hour, and at such a period of the session; if the matter was of so pressing a character it ought to have been dealt with two or three months earlier. If any mistake were made through its being taken under pressure much harm might result, and in assenting to the Second Reading he wished to reserve to himself full rights to object to the Bill, if necessary, after the promised Amendments had been placed on the Paper.