§ 12. Viscount SANDONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the communications as to wireless, cable, and mails of the Falkland Islands: whether any steps are being taken towards their improvement; whether the installation of direct wireless communication with Great Britain or some part of the Empire can be undertaken; and what would the cost of this be?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThere is no cable communication with the Falkland Islands. Mails are transmitted in either direction by vessels of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company and such other opportunities as occur from time to time. Since 1st January, 1927, there have been 17 homeward and 14 outward mails, in addition to despatches to Montevideo which have latterly been made each week. I am at present in communication with the Governor in regard to the possible provision of a small vessel to ply between 955 the Colony and Montevideo, with a view to providing a more regular and frequent postal service. As regards wireless communication, messages from the Government station at Stanley are relayed usually via the wireless telegraph station at Cerritos in Uruguay. The Governor has recently submitted proposals for the establishment of a station capable of direct short-wave communication with the United Kingdom, at a cost which he estimates roughly at £3,000. These proposals are being examined from the technical and the financial point of view.