§ Mr. CHADWICKasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to say that wireless telegraph apparatus can be so designed as to respond 1308W to certain signals by ringing a bell; whether such an arrangement will make the carriage of special wireless operators on certain classes of small ships unnecessary in future; and, if it is possible to avoid the heavy expenditure and inconvenience of carrying such operators, would he consider the urgency from a life-saving standpoint of amending the Law in regard to wireless telegraphy on board ship so as to include all mechanically-propelled vessels of 500 tons and over?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANWireless telegraph apparatus has been invented which under suitable conditions will respond to certain signals by ringing a bell. The question whether such apparatus can be regarded as a satisfactory substitute for a watcher is at present under the consideration of the General Post Office and Board of Trade, but it could not in any event replace a certificated wireless operator. The latter part of the question does not therefore arise.