§ 5. Mr. Martenasked the Postmaster-General whether the Government intends to participate in the laying of further transatlantic telephone cables.
§ Mr. Edward ShortWe will participate in further transatlantic cable projects when circumstances warrant it, but for the next few years we expect to meet all our growing needs in this area by means of satellite communications.
§ Mr. MartenWhat further proposals have the Government for the use of commercial satellites for telecommunications?
§ Mr. ShortWe hope to meet all our needs in the next few years by satellites. That at present in use over the Atlantic will be replaced by two, and we shall have to see where we go from there.