§ Major MORGANasked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office have opened the Stonehaven and North Foreland wireless stations for point-to-point working with Holland; whether he has applied to the Admiralty for the release of the civilian wireless operators lent to the Admiralty during the period of the War; whether the Admiralty refused to release these men; whether it is proposed to transfer the commercial wireless system to the control of the Admiralty; and whether he will have regard to the future careers of his wireless operators in the consideration of any such proposal?
§ Mr. PRATTThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. Application has been made to the Admiralty for the release of the civilian wireless operators lent to that Department, but owing to difficulty in replacing them it has only been possible to release a few. The release of the others will be arranged as soon as the circumstances permit. It is not proposed to transfer the commercial wireless service, such as that established with Holland, to the control of the Admiralty; but if, when normal conditions are restored, any modification of the arrangements for wireless communication should prove to be necessary due regard will be given to the interests of the Post Office wireless operators.