Captain BENNasked the Postmaster-General if he will give the names of the firms licensed to transmit broadcast wireless; what revenue, if any, has 707W been guaranteed by the Government to firms who receive such a licence; whether applications for this privilege were freely invited; and, if not, what conditions were imposed?
Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Postmaster-General how he proposes to enforce the conditions he imposes as to the all-British character of wireless receiving sets; has he an adequate staff of inspectors; if not, does he propose to increase their numbers; and at what cost?
§ Mr. KILEYasked the Postmaster-General what is the intention towards traders and private persons who have purchased imported wireless receiving sets; and will they be allowed to use or sell them?
§ Mr. C. WHITEasked the Postmaster-General whether for wireless reception he intends to issue licences only for instruments conforming to an official specification?
Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYasked the Postmaster-General (1) whether an amateur who has constructed his own wireless receiving set will be permitted to use it on payment of the licence fee, or will he, if he uses it, be subject to prosecution;
(2) what is the meaning of the condition that only apparatus manufactured in Great Britain will be licensed for wireless reception; and will the existence of any imported part in the apparatus cause it to be classified as non-British?
§ Mr. HOGGEasked the Postmaster-General whether he has reason to believe that broadcasting wireless would be undertaken if permitted by firms asking no money guarantee or payment and willing to submit to such control as the Government might wish to impose?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYNo licences have yet been issued to establish broadcasting stations, but I understand that the principal manufacturers of wireless, apparatus in Great Britain will combine to form a company or companies to provide broadcasting services. Anybonâ fide manufacturer in this country will be admitted to membership of any company so formed, and the companies will make themselves responsible for raising the necessary capital and maintaining efficient services. It is proposed that 708W the receiving apparatus which may be used under the licence shall be limited to types submitted by members of the broadcasting companies, and that it should conform to certain technical standards.
I have been informed that the broadcasting companies, when formed, will probably desire to impose upon their members the condition that British-made apparatus only shall be sold by them, and I have intimated that I will assent to this condition for a period of two years. It will rest with membership of the companies to determine to what extent this condition shall apply to the component parts of the apparatus.
The functions of the Post Office will be limited to approving types of apparatus submitted by members of the company, and inspection of individual sets will not be necessary. Provision will be made under which amateurs who construct their own receiving sets and licencees who have already purchased imported receiving sets will be allowed to use them.
The revenue required for providing the services will be derived partly from a contribution by the manufacturers to the company upon each set sold by them, and partly by a proportion of the annual licence fee which I shall propose to the House shall be paid to the companies financing the services. The cost of erecting the stations and providing these services is likely to he considerable, and I have received no intimation from any firm that they are willing to undertake it without guarantee or payment.