HC Deb 16 July 1923 vol 166 c1848
11. Mr. HURD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state how many Government-owned wireless stations there are in the British West Indies and where; whether it is proposed to discontinue the use of any of these; and whether, in view of the inadequate communications between the islands, use could be made of wireless broadcasting?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

The Governments of British Honduras, the Bahamas, Barbados and Trinidad possess their own wireless stations; the Governments of British Guiana and St. Lucia have taken over wireless stations from the Admiralty. There is no present intention of discontinuing the use of any of these stations; there is also an Admiralty station at Christiana in Jamaica, which is not now working. With regard to the last part of the question, arrangements are now in progress which will, I hope, result in putting communications with the West Indies on a more satisfactory footing: in the meanwhile it is not practicable to make use of broadcasting for this purpose, but the suggestion will be borne in mind.

Mr. HURD

Is this matter coming before the Imperial Conference, in reference to the West Indies especially, in view of the new developments of wireless, which seem to dispel many of the difficulties which have hitherto stood in the way of communication with this country?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Yes; the question of Imperial wireless communication generally is coming before the Imperial Conference.

Mr. HURD

With special reference to the West Indies?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I shall be there representing the West Indies, among others. If the West Indies in any way come into the general question, apropos of Canada or any of the other Dominions, certainly their interests and their part in any possible scheme will be taken into account.