§ 46. Mr. RONALD M'NEILLasked the Prime Minister Whether it is the intention of the Government to reopen negotiations with the Marconi Company for the supply of wireless stations throughout the Empire; and whether such negotiations will be entered upon while shares in the Marconi Company of America continue to be held by Ministers of the Crown and by the trustee of the funds of the Liberal party?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith):With regard to the first part of the question, my right hon. Friend the Postmaster General hopes to make a statement at an early date. As regards the last part, I understand all the persons referred to have taken steps to divest themselves of any interest in the shares of the American Company.
§ 47. Mr. HUNTasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Post Office engineer, Mr. Taylor, has been degraded and subjected to an annual fine in the shape of reduced salary for buying a small quantity of the English variety of Marconi shares; whether he has been already sufficiently punished; and can he now be reinstated in his former and salary?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe matter to which the hon. Member refers is one of departmental discipline, and the question should, therefore, be addressed to the Postmaster-General.
§ Mr. HUNTWill the right hon. Gentleman say why this servant of the public has been severely punished, while Cabinet Ministers for similar actions are allowed to go free?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat question should be addressed to the Postmaster-General.