46. Mr. BENNasked the Prime Minister whether the consent of the House will be sought before the Postmaster-General leases the beam wireless system?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. The beam system will be leased under the general powers conferred upon the Postmaster-General by the Post Office Act, 1908.
Mr. BENNDoes the Prime Minister mean to say that the Postmaster-General is going to do this without the consent of the House, and without even being permitted to explain why he does it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe lease of the beam is an integral part of the whole Bill which sets up the Communications Company. The matter was discussed in August last in this House, it is being discussed, and it will be discussed again under the Bill now before the House.
Mr. BENNCan we have a statement from the Prime Minister explaining why he intends to lease the beam?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know whether the Postmaster-General has already given an explanation of that point or not.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MacDONALDOf course, there will be a contract drawn up, and will not that contract be laid on the Table of the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat question is down on the Order Paper in, the name of an hon. Member opposite.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs the Postmaster-General in favour of the course being taken by the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat question should be put to the Postmaster-General.
§ 48. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the Prime Minister when the contract necessary to give effect to the Government proposals set out in the White Paper in reference to the new communications company for the cable and wireless services will be laid before the House for approval?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe authority of Parliament for the sale of the cable undertakings is being sought in the Imperial Telegraphs Bill. As regards the lease of the beam services, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have just given to the hon. Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Benn). The proposals are fully explained in the White Paper and I see no necessity for submitting the detailed agreement for the approval of the House. I will, however, consider whether it should in due course be laid before the House for information.
Mr. BENNDoes "in due course" mean that we pass a Bill first and get the terms of the contract afterwards?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is no necessity to obtain the approval of the House for a contract of this nature.
Mr. BENNIs it not a fact that there is a Standing Order that telegraph contracts should be published and laid before the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is only in cases where a public charge is in- 41 volved. In the contract made last May with the Marconi Company, payment of royalties was involved. That made a charge, and, therefore, it came under Standing Order 72. In this case, the contract does not come under that Standing Order.
§ Mr. MacDONALDIs it not a fact that there are a great many conditions in the White Paper which are left open, and do the Government propose to inform the House when those conditions are actually and specifically fixed before any contract is signed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know what the right hon. Gentleman refers to, but he may take it that all the conditions imposed will be fulfilled. With regard to what was asked for a few minutes ago, I am assured by my hon. Friend that the Postmaster-General made such a statement last August as the right hon. Gentleman desires.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIn view of the very great importance of this contract dealing with what was at one time national property, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this is not merely a question of precedent, but a question upon which the House ought to have the full facts before it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have never been reluctant to give all possible information, and I will make it my business to inquire what other information I can give.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the discussion we were told that some matters have not yet been concluded, for instance, the conditions of the officials transferred; and, in view of that, if we are not to have the contract, are we not being asked to buy a pig in a poke?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe lease of the beam is not yet completed.