§ Mr. HOUSTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the great value of directional wireless as an aid to navigation, particularly in foggy weather, the Admiralty 1309W direction-finding stations in the United Kingdom have been, or will be, thrown open for the use of the Mercantile Marine; and whether any charge has been, or will be, made for the bearings given to merchant vessels by these stations?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Admiralty direction-finding stations, of which there are nine in the United Kingdom, were thrown open to the use of the Mercantile Marine as from 1st Jane last, and this was made known in Admiralty and Board of Trade notices to mariners. No charge has hitherto been made, as it was considered that the use of this valuable navigational aid by the Mercantile Marine must in the early stages be regarded as experimental. Statistics, however, now show that the system is beginning to be more extensively used, and it is therefore proposed to make a nominal charge of five shillings as from 1st April next for each bearing asked for and given It is hoped that this will prevent any possible abuse of the privilege and the consequent overworking of the stations. The bearings given by this method of signalling reach a high degree of accuracy, but the Admiralty desire to make it clear that they will be unable to accept any responsibility under any conditions for the consequences which may result from an inaccurate bearing being given.