43. Sir H. COWANasked the PostMaster-General whether his attention has been called to the possibility of tapping beam wireless messages to and from 985 Australia; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the privacy of such messages?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am aware that the Anglo-Australian beam service, in common with other wireless services, has been criticised on the ground that it is liable to illicit interception. In practice, however, the beam services are worked at so high a speed that interception would only be possible by means of complicated and expensive receiving apparatus requiring expert operating staff. I think, therefore, that the risk of such illegal interception is for all practical purposes negligible.
Sir H. COWANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain parties have instruments which are able to tap these private messages between Australia and this country, if they wish to do so?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONNo, Sir; I am not aware of that fact, indeed, any such action is contrary to the terms of the wireless licences.
§ 51. Mr. PILCHERasked the Postmaster-General whether, and, if so, what, reductions in cost of cable messages to India and South Africa have been conceded since the introduction of beam competition during the past year; and whether he can give an assurance that such reductions will not be annulled as a result of a cable-wireless merger or through other causes?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONA year ago the cable rates to India and South Africa were 1s. 8d. a word and 2s. a word respectively. The present rates to India are Is. 5d. by cable and 1s. 1d. by beam; and the rates to South Africa are 1s. 8d. by cable and 1s. 4d. by beam. Corresponding reductions have been made in the rates for deferred telegrams and letter telegrams. No statement can be made concerning future rates until the Report of the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference has been received and considered.