§ 63. Mr. HURDasked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made with the wireless system which the Government is developing for news and commercial services?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHA series of experiments were recently made to test 204 the feasibility of distributing news messages from a central distributing station by means of wireless telephony. The general result of the experiments was satisfactory as far as audibility of speech was concerned; but, owing to the slow rate of transmission, due to the necessity for frequent repetitions, and to the fact that the messages could be easily intercepted, the news agency on whose behalf the experiments were made has not seen its way to adopt the use of the system. It was also found that the experiments caused considerable interference with other stations, and for the present the trials have been suspended. Experiments are, however, being made to test the practicability of using high-speed wireless telegraphy for news and commercial services, and promising results have been obtained. The development of the system is receiving the special attention of my technical advisers.
§ Mr. HURDWill the right hon. Gentleman say what interest the Government has in this matter—exactly what is the purpose of this?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe development of the Service.
§ Mr. MOLESAre the representations which have been made with reference to the extension of greater facilities for a Press service to Ireland receiving attention, or does the right hon. Gentleman take up a non possumus attitude in the matter?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI will consider that.