HC Deb 29 November 1916 vol 88 cc347-8
106. Mr. R. GWYNNE

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken by the Government since the outbreak of war to safeguard the mercantile marine by close investigation into the connection between the Marconi and the Telefunken Companies and the system of wireless that has been installed upon both British, and neutral merchant steamers trading at British ports?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. J. A. Pease)

The Board of Trade have asked me to take this question. The Government are satisfied that there has been no connection between the Marconi and Telefunken Companies since the War began. As stated in reply to a previous question by the hon. Member, the Marconi and Telefunken systems, like other wireless systems, are capable of communicating with each other; and it was the object of the International Radiotelegraph Convention, to which this country was a party, to regularise and promote general intercommunication between ships and coast stations equipped with the various systems. The agreement between the Marconi and Telefunken Companies, which existed before the outbreak of war, had no bearing on this point. Every precaution has been taken to ensure the loyalty of the operators employed on board British ships. The Government cannot, of course, investigate the antecedents or sentiments of operators on board neutral ships; but the hon. Member may accept my assurance that all practical measures have been adopted to obviate danger in that direction. In this connection the assistance of the Marconi Company has been valuable.

Mr. G. FABER

Are the operators on British ships British subjects?

Mr. PEASE

They are not only British subjects, but very careful inquiries are made into their antecedents and in no case-are their parents of enemy origin.

Mr. GWYNNE

Would the right hon. Gentleman say when he made his inquiries?

Mr. PEASE

I have recently been in communication with the Marconi Company, and, as I explained to the hon. Member yesterday, I have seen the agreement.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the hon. Member was one of those who desired the contract to be tendered to the Telefunken Company instead of to the Marconi Company?