§ 49. Mr. BECKERasked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that there is no time limit to the proposed licence to be granted to the private company interested in the Empire wireless chain, he will allocate some time for the conditions of this licence to be discussed in this House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAt present the negotiations have not reached a point at which it is possible to state whether or not time can be given for their consideration by the House.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the agreement will not be treated as final until there has been some opportunity, either on the Adjournment or otherwise, of considering its terms?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is bound to be a discussion sooner or later, and if it so happens that the negotiations which are now proceeding are not concluded before the Recess, it would be difficult to have discussion then.
§ Mr. HARRISDoes the Prime Minister appreciate the wide concern felt that this country may be involved in some contract prejudicial to the interests of Empire communications by this new means of the transmission of telegrams, and that people feel that the House of Commons should have the opportunity of discussing it fully before it is settled?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will take note of that.