HC Deb 09 November 1916 vol 87 cc406-8
102. Sir R. COOPER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether directors of the Marconi Company have seats on the board of the Deutsche Betreitsgesellschaft für Drahtlose Telegraphie, of Berlin; and whether this Berlin company is a subsidiary of the Telefunken Company?

Mr. PRETYMAN

I am informed by the Marconi Company that certain of their directors were before the War on the board of the Berlin company referred to, in which the Telefunken Company holds a majority of the shares.

Mr. R. GWYNNE

Will the hon. Gentleman say when they retired?

Mr. PRETYMAN

I cannot say.

Mr. GWYNNE

Is he aware the names appear in the "Wireless Year Book" published by the Marconi Company?

Mr. SPEAKER

If the hon. Member has got the information, there is no necessity to ask for it.

103. Sir R. COOPER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an agreement was concluded in 1913 between the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company, Limited, and the Gesellschaft für Drahtlose Telegraphie, of Berlin, or the Telefunken Company; whether such agreement covers Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and the United States; and, if so, has this agreement been operative since the beginning of the War?

Mr. PRETYMAN

I am informed by the Marconi Company that in 1913 an agreement of a commercial nature was concluded between them and the Telefunken Company, that the agreement dealt in some matters with Australia, New Zealand, and Spain but did not embrace the United States, and that this agreement has not been operative since the beginning of the War.

Sir R. COOPER

How can the hon. Gentleman say that it does not cover the United States, seeing that Clause 14 of this agreement specifically deals with most important matters connected with wireless in the United States; and how can he say that the agreement is not operative, seeing that the Australian company is operating under this agreement?

104. Sir R. COOPER

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the close interlocking arrangements and agreements between the British, Belgian, and German wireless telegraph companies; if so, can he say what special steps have been taken to ensure that every wireless operator on British and Allied ships is strictly loyal to the cause of the Allies?

Mr. J. A. PEASE

The arrangements which existed before the War between British, Belgian, and German wireless telegraph companies were mainly directed to the regulation of competition between the rival services, and did not affect the rule that only certified operators of British nationality might be employed on British ships. Since the outbreak of war still more stringent measures have been taken to exclude operators of doubtful origin or trustworthiness.

105 and 150. Sir R. COOPER

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if a full and strict inquiry is held into the loss by enemy submarines of every British merchant ship; if so, is special inquiry made as to the nationality and reliability of wireless operators on these ships; and (2) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware of the close interlocking arrangements and agreements between the British, Belgian, and German wireless telegraph companies; and, if so, can he give an assurance that special precautions have been taken to ensure that wireless operators on all vessels of His Majesty's Navy are strictly loyal to the cause of Britain and her Allies?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer these questions. The reply to the first part of Question 105 is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the subject of nationality and reliability of all wireless operators in British merchant ships is dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General, who has just dealt with the matter. As regards Question 150, operators in His Majesty's Navy are all necessarily British subjects. We have every reason to rely on the loyalty of naval operators, and no case has occurred to doubt their zeal and loyalty to the cause of their country and their Allies. It may be observed that no candidate is now accepted for entry in the Navy unless he is the son of British-born parents on both sides