§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether experiments in wireless telegraphy by officers employed at the signals experimental establishment at Woolwich have now succeeded in transmitting messages over considerable distances at the speed of 100 words per minute and that very much greater speeds have been proved to be attainable; whether this is an advance which opens a prospect of the utmost importance to the future of wireless telegraphy, especially in relation to commercial use; whether the further development of this experimental work is being hampered by lack of sufficient funds, some officers who were pioneers in the work having already left the establishment or 50W been transferred to other duties on this account; whether the expense falls on the Army Estimates although extreme rapidity of transmission is of no special importance for military purposes; and whether, in view of the commercial importance of such research, he will propose to the Board of Trade that that Department make itself responsible for financing the work on a sufficient scale to secure the fullest possible development of the experimnts referred to?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir; at the experimental establishment at Woolwich wireless messages have been transmitted over considerable distances at the speed of 100 words per minute and very much greater speeds have been obtained under laboratory conditions only. Rapidity of transmission is of the highest importance to the Army and the other fighting services as, in the near future, wireless telegraphy will probably be the primary means of intercommunication in these services. The work which is being carried out at Woolwich is experimental and the General Post Office, which is the other Government Department specially interested in the question, is kept very fully informed of all developments. As the hon. Member is aware, the funds at present available for experimental work are limited, owing to the urgent need for economy.