§ Mr. BAKERasked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office undertakes cable or wireless telegraphic communication with Russia or the Baltic States; whether the Post Office has been at any time prevented from undertaking such communication because of prior agreements with private companies; and what was the nature of such agreements?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNThe Post Office owns the cables between this country and Norway, and a cable between this country and Russia. It also provides telegraphic communication via Germany with the Eastern Baltic States; and carries on a limited wireless service with certain of these States. The Danish Great Northern Telegraph Company was formerly entitled to carry all telegrams for Denmark, Sweden and Northern Russia handed to the Post Office by the senders without any indication of route, subject to its route being as efficient as any other, but these preferential rights expired last year.
§ Mr. BAKERasked the Postmaster-General the number and owners of cables between Great Britain and France; and whether, in view of the necessity for and efficiency of co-operative working between cable and wireless communications, he will cancel the provisional wireless licences granted to the Marconi Company in order that the Post Office shall undertake all necessary services?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNThere are 17 telegraph and telephone cables in use connecting Great Britain with France, 14 of which are jointly owned by the British and French Governments. The remaining three are telegraph cables owned by trans-Atlantic cable companies, the use of which, is restricted to the transmission of traffic to and from America and places beyond. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the recommendation on the subject in the Donald Committee's report, which is still under the consideration of the Government.