HC Deb 30 July 1924 vol 176 cc2085-6W
Sir C. MORRISON-BELL

asked the Postmaster-General when the last Convention of the Powers was called under the Convention of St. Petersburg in 1875 to discuss the problems dealing with international telegraphy whether any steps are now being taken to convene another meeting whether there are any difficulties in the way and, if so, what?

Mr. HARTSHORN

The last conference under the Convention in question was held at Lisbon in 1908. It was then arranged that the next conference should be held at Paris in 1915. This was, of course, impossible on account of the War. Meanwhile it became clear that it was desirable that the next International Conference on Telegraphy should cover, not only the questions of wire telegraphy dealt with in the Convention of 1875, but also the questions of wireless telegraphy which are partially dealt with in the separate Radiotelegraph Convention of 1912. Attempts have been made by His Majesty's Government to secure the convocation of such a combined conference, but, unfortunately, without much success; and the French Government have now issued an invitation to a conference under the Convention of 1875, to be held at Paris next spring. This invitation is now under the consideration of His Majesty's Government.