§ 36. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office has purchased 800 acres of land near Rugby for a high-power wireless station as a link in the Imperial wireless chain; if so, how much public money is to be spent on the site; and whether any provision has been made for the construction of stations in the Dominions, Colonies, and India with which the Post Office will communicate?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The cost of the site, including compensation for disturbance, will be about £50,000. Provision has been made by the Governments of Australia, South Africa and Canada for the erection of stations for communication with this country, but, so far as I am aware, no definite arrangements have been made in India and New Zealand. In some at least of these cases, express provision has been or will be made for the stations to communicate with stations of the Imperial system generally. But the question with what distant stations the new Government station here shall communicate is at present a subject of negotiation.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINCan the right hon. Gentleman give us any approximate date as to the possible opening of this station; and also what the power is likely to be?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI cannot give a date, and as to the second part of the question, I should like notice.
§ Mr. HURDWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether this means a partnership between the State and Marconi, with a division of the traffic?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe agreement is still under negotiation. I do not think I had better attempt to state the terms that are being negotiated.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSBecause I am advised that a large site is required for the station which it is intended to erect immediately, and for possible additions.
§ 37. Mr. BECKERasked the Postmaster-General the name of the company which has applied for a licence to build a high-powered wireless station in this country in connection with the Empire wireless chain; will this company have the same chances of obtaining a licence as the Marconi Company or will a certain preference be shown to the latter company owing to their having held previous licences?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe company in question is the Eastern Telegraph Company. It will have the same chances of obtaining a licence as the Marconi Company, so far as His Majesty's Government are concerned. The question of corresponding stations in India or the Dominions would be one for the Government concerned.
§ Mr. BECKERIs it possible for two companies at the same time to work a high-powered station?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSOh, yes.