§ 78. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Postmaster-General with which parts of the Empire his Department is now in direct wireless communication; and whether any further developments are in contemplation during the current year?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am net quite certain what my hon. Friend means by the phrase direct wireless communication. As he is no doubt aware, there is at present no two-way communication by Government wireless between this country and the Dominions, though it is hoped to open such a service during the current year with Canada, South Africa, India and Australia by means of the beam stations, now under construction here and in those countries. The contractors hope to complete the respective stations here and in Canada and South Africa in April, and those for the Indian and Australian services in August. As regards one-way communication, there has for some years been a regular Press service from Leafield to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the opening of the Rugby station has now made it possible to broadcast messages for reception in any part of the Empire. At present official news messages are sent out from Rugby thrice daily and good reception of these is reported from places as far distant as New Zealand. In addition private messages for ships anywhere in the world are now regularly transmitted from Rugby and reception appears to be satisfactory, though it is as yet rather early to be quite definite on this point.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINMay I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, and ask him whether any progress has been made in regard to wireless telephone communication between this country and Canada?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONExperiments are continually going on, but it is too much as yet to say whether any substantial progress has been made.