HC Deb 17 July 1933 vol 280 cc1525-7
25. Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLEN

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange that British vessels will be able to ask for medical advice through coast wireless stations free of all wireless

Sir M. WOOD

Should not the right bon. and gallant Gentleman have this information in order to enable him to come to a decision on future policy?

Major ELLIOT

There is information which is required to be laid before Parliament and information which is regarded as confidential. This, of course, is administered by the Treasury.

Following is the statement:

charges, in conformity with Sweden and other nations?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)

The practice varies in different countries. Some, like Sweden, make no charge for transmitting radio-telegrams asking for medical advice; in others, including France, Germany and Great Britain, such messages are charged for. Under Section 34 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, the owner of a British ship is liable for the expense of providing medical advice for sick or injured members of the crew; and I do not think there is any justification for transferring the cost of messages asking for such advice from the shipowner to public funds.