§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that wireless news service between Leafield and India has been suspended since 1st June owing to atmospheric difficulties; whether this service is transmitted from Leafield by way of Cairo, Aden, and Karachi; and whether, in view of the failure of this station to secure communication with India, in spite of the fact that it has been able to utilise as a relay several intervening stations, he will say if it is proposed to continue Leafield as a link in the Empire wireless chain?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe Leafield station was never intended to secure direct communication with India; but in view of the extent to which its signals were heard in that country, the Indian Government and certain Indian newspapers suggested that the unilateral news service to which my hon. Friend refers should be instituted for the transmission of short news messages of special interest and urgency. The messages are sent direct from Leafield to Karachi, but to ensure reception they are repeated from Cairo. Aden does not take part in the service. The service was avowedly experimental; but it has now been used regularly for nearly 12 months. It has not been suspended since 1st June. It is intended to continue to use Leafield for its primary purpose of direct communication with Egypt, and for the other purposes (e.g., the broadcasting of news messages, and the transmission of a news service to Halifax, Nova Scotia) for which it is now being employed.