62. Mr. E. Martin Smithasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that German control of the technical side of the British Forces Network is not leading to satisfactory service; and if he will arrange for British personnel to have the right of supervision.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for War (Mr. Michael Stewart)British personnel already have this right of supervision. The present service has been shown, by a comprehensive listener research organisation, to be satisfactory.
Mr. SmithIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the breakdowns are increasing and amount to one per day on the average? There has been a great deal of dissatisfaction on occasions, because it has been up to German technicians to say whether a breakdown was a breakdown or not?
§ Mr. StewartNo, Sir. The failure in transmission in April was about 0.5 per cent., and, in general, was not due to causes which would be remedied by the proposal made by the hon. Member.