§ MR. BELLAIRSI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the alleged refusal of the steamer "Vaderland" to communicate by wireless telegraphy information concerning a derelict which the American vessel "Lebanon" had been sent out by the American Government to destroy; whether steamers fitted with Marconi apparatus are under any agreement not to communicate with other systems; and, if so, whether the Board of Trade intend to take any action in the matter.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarThe hon. Member will perhaps allow me to answer this Question. I have no information regarding the alleged refusal of the steamor "Vaderland" (which I understand is not a British ship) to communicate with a ship equipped with another system; but such action would in ordinary circumstances be in accordance with the Marconi Company's practice. Proposals for ensuring intercommunication without regard to the system employed will be submitted to the 1144 International Conference on Wireless Telegraphy which will meet at Berlin next October.