HC Deb 11 March 1930 vol 236 c1103
46. Colonel HOWARD-BURY

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the great divergence of opinion in the merits of the various systems of wireless telephony and the Imperial interests involved, he will appoint an independent Committee to investigate the merits and to test the various systems?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Lees-Smith)

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crewe (Mr. Bowen) on the 26th February.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the greatest experts in wireless including Senatore Marconi have emphatically stated that the larger aerial is far and away the best, and also that it was the recommendation of the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference, and will he not have a comparative test made of these systems?

Mr. LEES-SMITH

The views of Senatore Marconi were heard and submitted to independent experts.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is the Post Office then afraid of having a test?

Mr. LEES-SMITH

The test which was immediately practicable was made about last May.

Mr. BRACKEN

Is it the settled policy of the Government to patronise American interests in preference to British?