§ 63. Mr. GRANTasked the Postmaster-General if he has yet replied to the communication received from the Marconi Company intimating their desire to withdraw from the proposed agreement with the Government; and, if so, what reply was made?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELAs the contract is now under consideration by a Select Committee of this House, I thought it right to communicate the company's letter to that Committee in case they should desire to offer any observations upon it. I have not yet received a reply from the Committee, and have, therefore, not answered the company beyond writing to inform them of the fact that I was sending their letter to the Select Committee.
§ Mr. GRANTMay we take it that no reply will be given to the company unless the Select Committee communicate with the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI cannot give a pledge to that effect. I must necessarily answer the company before very long, and I hope the Committee will let me have their views shortly.
Sir GILBERT PARKERMay I ask if that is a question with which they have anything to do—the question whether the Marconi Company wish to withdraw from the agreement made with the Government?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI think it would have been discourteous to the Committee, seeing that they have the whole matter under their cognisance, if I had replied to the company's letter without affording them an opportunity of making observations. If they do not desire to make any observations, the Government will take their own course.
Sir GILBERT PARKERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the opinion of the Committee as to whether the Marconi Company should be allowed to withdraw from the agreement or not will be taken into consideration when he comes to a decision to give a reply?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELOf course, any observations the Commitee may offer will be taken into consideration.