§ 26. Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Postmaster-General what part the Post Office is playing in the development of submarine cables.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe Post Office and the telecommunications industry continue to play a leading rôle in the development of submarine cable systems. They have been responsible for the development of the first submerged transistorised repeaters to be used anywhere in the world. The original repeaters of this type were used on a cable between this country and Belgium in 1964. The technique is now being extended to a deep water cable being constructed between this country and Portugal.
§ Mr. MorrisI thank my right hon. Friend for that important reply. Will he assure me that good contact between the Post Office and the telecommunications industry will be continued?
§ Mr. StonehouseYes, Sir; we are in constant touch with the industry, drawing upon one another's research endeavour. In this particular case, I am glad to say that the Post Office has not only developed the transistorised repeater to which I have referred but is producing it as well. The industry knows about the development which we have been successful in producing, and we very much hope that this close contact will be continued.
§ Mr. MartenDespite what the right hon. Gentleman has just said will he assure the House that the Government are determined to go ahead with the far better telecommunications system by satellites?
§ Mr. StonehouseSatellite communication certainly has its place, but it would not exclude development of the submarine cable, which in some cases can not only be as efficient but can also be more economic.