§ 70. Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER- SHEEasked the Postmaster-General whether the American Telephone and Telegraph Company have been granted landing rights on both sides of the Atlantic for the five Atlantic cables which they took over from British companies before the War; and, if so, upon what date were these landing rights granted to them
§ Mr. PEASEThe Western Union Telegraph Company were promised landing rights under certain conditions when they took over the five Trans-Atlantic cables in question. Owing to various causes there has been considerable delay in issuing a formal licence embodying these landing rights, But such a licence has recently been completed.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEECan the hon. Gentleman say when these landing rights will be granted, and whether they will include the control of rates clause which was the reason they were held up?
§ Mr. PEASEThe Board of Trade say that the licence will be signed on their behalf to-morrow. All the other parties have-signed. I cannot say anything with regard to the other part of the question, but I will inquire into it.
§ 71. Lieut. - Colonel ARCHER-SHEEasked the Postmaster-General whether any steps have been taken by the Imperial Communications Board to examine the question of duplicating the West Indian cables rid Halifax and Bermuda, as recommended by the Dominions Royal Commission; and, if so, what steps have been taken to proceed with this policy forthwith?
§ Mr. PEASEThe Imperial Communications Committee have not considered the question of duplicating the cables between Halifax and the West Indies. The Royal Commission on Trade Relations between Canada and the West-Indies recommended in 1910 that these cables should be duplicated or supplemented by wireless; and a supplementary wireless service has since been provided. The question of duplication was again considered in 1915 by a Committee of the Departments concerned, but it was decided that the heavy expense involved would not be justified, more especially as there is an alternative route through the United States and Cuba, while the direct cables are by no means fully occupied.
§ 72. Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEasked the Postmaster-General whether any steps have been taken to carry out the recommendations of the Dominions Royal Commission which recommended that one cable should be leased from the American companies in order to provide accommodation for British Imperial and commercial traffic across the Atlantic, and 1561 further concurrently to obtain control of a land line from the landing point to Montreal?
§ Mr. PEASEA Trans-Atlantic cable has not been leased from either of the American companies, but a Government Atlantic cable has been provided between this country and Canada by the diversion of one of the German Atlantic cables. This cable has been used principally for Government and commercial traffic for Australasia and for Government traffic for Canada. A special landline has been leased between Halifax and Montreal for she transmission of the traffic for and from the cable.
§ 73. Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the importance of developing cable communications in the Empire, and of cheapening cable rates, the Imperial Communications Board has taken any steps to examine the question of duplicating the Pacific cable to Australia and New Zealand, in view of the fact that that cable is now making a handsome profit for the Governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?
§ Mr. PEASEThe Imperial Communications Committee have not considered the question of the duplication of the Pacific cable, but I understand that the Pacific Cable Board have this question under consideration.