§ 24. Mr. BECKERasked the Postmaster-General if it is proposed to give the Marconi Company a monopoly of wireless communication within the Empire by means of a licence for the working of the Empire wireless chain scheme?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)The answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. BECKERFor what is the licence?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe licence is for the use of wireless telegraphy.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINMay we take it that the Department will not attempt to exclude private enterprise in any part of the Empire?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWe have no such intention.
§ 29 and 30. Mr. BECKERasked the Postmaster-General (1) if he can give his assurance that, before the terms of the licence for the Empire wireless chain about to be granted to the Marconi Company are finally agreed, this House will have the opportunity of fully discussing them;
(2) in view of the existing licence which the Marconi Company possesses for transmitting and receiving messages to and from all parts of the world, will he explain why it is necessary to grant this company a further licence for the development of the Imperial wireless chain; and will this licence enable the Marconi Company to build wireless stations in the Colonies to the exclusion of other companies?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAs stated in a previous reply to the hon. Member, I hope to lay the agreement with the Marconi Company on the Table of the House as soon as it is completed, but I cannot undertake that an opportunity for discussion will arise before it becomes operative. The company at present hold no licence covering wireless communication with any countries outside Europe, except the United States and Canada. The licence which is now under negotiation with the company will cover the erection of stations in Great Britain only, and will not be exclusive.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a fact that the Dominions refused to have anything to do with the Post Office scheme, but decided to confine themselves entirely to private enterprise?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am not quite sure that my hon. Friend is entirely accurate, but that forms the subject of a question which the hon. Member has been good enough to postpone until next week.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the agreement will not be finally settled until it has been laid on the Table and reasonable time has been given to the House to consider it?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am afraid that I cannot give that assurance. If my hon. and learned Friend wants a day for discussion of the agreement he must, of course, apply in the proper quarter for it.