30. Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYasked the Postmaster-General if he is now in a position to indicate the terms and conditions under which licences for wireless broadcasting will be granted to industrial concerns?
32. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Postmaster-General how many licences have been granted for permission to receive messages by wireless telephony under the broadcasting scheme; how many licences to transmit have been granted; whether he is yet in a position to make a statement as to when the complete broadcasting scheme will be in operation; how many stations will be allowed to be established; what will be the nature of these stations; whether he has recently met the, representatives of the applicant firms: a and what is the reason for the delay in proceeding with the scheme?
§ Mr. PEASEThe total number of licences for the reception of wireless messages on the 30th Jane was approximately 11,000, and the number of licences for transmission was approximately 450. None of the latter, however, was for telephone broadcasting transmission. I am not yet in a position to make a statement as regards the broadcasting scheme, as the question is still under discussion with the associated manufacturing companies.
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be in a position to make such a statement?
§ Mr. PEASEI am very anxious to be able to be in that position, but it is very difficult to find a via media.
Mr. MALONEWhat is the cause of the delay in the negotiations? Is it some dispute as to who shall construct the stations?
§ Mr. PEASEWe have had in regard to this question many meetings which have been adjourned, and I hope there will be some basis found in the early future, but I cannot say more than that.