§ Mr. MIDDLETONasked the Post-master-General whether, in giving the Marconi Company provisional permission to erect a wireless station at Ongar for the purpose of carrying on a wireless service with France, Spain, and Switzerland, the Post Office imposed any conditions upon the company; whether the average daily number of messages passing between the Marconi Company's station and the countries is fined may be given; and whether the date on which the late Government first decided to issue licences to the company for the wireless transmission of messages ordinarily sent or received by cable can be stated?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe provisional permission given to the Marconi Company for the erection of a wireless station at Ongar for carrying on wireless services with France, Spain and Switzerland was granted on the understanding that it was to be regarded as temporary, and subject to cancellation if no agreement were reached between the Government and the company on the general question of licences for communication with foreign countries. I am not at present in a position to state the average number of messages exchanged daily between the Ongar station and the countries mentioned. The decision to grant licences 3389W to the company for wireless services with foreign countries was taken by the Government in November, 1920.