§ 76. Mr. HURDasked the Postmaster-General whether he received an undertaking from a private enterprise to complete with 18 months the principal stations of the Imperial wireless chain which, under his direction, has already been 2½ years under construction, and are still unavailable for service; and whether the Technical Committee has advised the erection of new stations on a totally different system, both at Leafield and Cairo?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYAn offer was received in February, 1920, from the Marconi Company to provide the Imperial wireless stations on certain specific terms, but the Government decided, after full consideration, and on the Report of the Imperial Wireless Telegraphy Committee, not to accept the scheme. Under the company's proposal, the principal stations were to be erected within three years, and not 18 months. The Wireless Telegraphy Commission have recommended that the additional stations in England and Egypt, and those to be erected in South Africa, Australia, and India should be equipped with thermionic valves, but that the remaining stations in East Africa, Singapore, and Hong Kong should be equipped, in the first instance, with the are system of transmission, similar to that installed at Leafield and Cairo.
§ Mr. HURDIs the right hon. Gentleman himself quite satisfied with the present position of the Empire wireless chain?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI am not quite satisfied with anything in this imperfect world.