§ 40. Mr. OTHO NICHOLSONasked the Postmaster-General if proposals are now being considered by the Government for protecting the State-owned and privately- 975 owned cables against wireless competition; and whether the payment of a subsidy by the taxpayer is being considered?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)The question of cable and wireless communications is under consideration by His Majesty's Government and I can say nothing further at this stage.
§ 42. Sir W. de FRECEasked the Postmaster-General whether the revenue of the Pacific cable has suffered any diminution through competition with the beam system of telegraphy; and whether any steps are being taken to increase the efficiency of the system of operating this cable?
Mr. SAMUELI have been asked to reply. The revenue of the Pacific Cable Board has undoubtedly suffered during the past year owing to the competition of the beam service and the lower rate it charges. The Pacific Cable Board are taking steps to effect economies in their administrative expenditure, and their experts are continuously engaged in improving the methods of working. I may add that the new cable is one of the most efficient in the world, having a capacity of about 1,200 letters a minute as against a maximum of about 260 on the old cable.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHIs there any truth in the report that there is going to be a certain amount of co-operation between the cables and the beam system?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the right hon. Gentleman see that co-operation of that kind does not result in the public not getting the benefit of the cheapness of the beam system?