§ MAJOR SEELY (Isle of Wight)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the installation of wireless telegraphy for life-saving purposes on the East Goodwin, South Goodwin, Gull, Tongue, Sunk, and Cross-Sand lightships, as to which arrangements were in progress in June, 1903, has yet been completed; and, if not, at what date the work is likely to be finished.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) No, Sir. The necessary legal agreement between the Board of Trade, Trinity House, and the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company, with the assent of the Admiralty and the Post Office, has not yet been completed. The legal and administrative difficulties have been great, as it was necessary to deal with questions affecting wireless telegraphy in this country by legislation and to safeguard the rights of the Post Office. I am in hopes, however, that the completion of the agreement will not be long delayed, and when completed have no reason to doubt that the actual work of installation will proceed expeditiously.