§ Mr. Skeetasked the Postmaster-General if he will give a list of the research projects at present being conducted at the Post Office Research Station, Dollis Hill, Willesden, particularly identifying any work being done in connection with a telecommunications satellite, fundamental research in connection therewith or equipment likely to be used therein.
121W
§ Mr. Bevins:The research work at Dollis Hill covers the whole range of telecommunication and postal services, and it is not possible to give a full list of current projects. They include, however, improvement of telephone instruments, development of electronic telephone exchanges, and development of inland cable, microwave radio-relay and long distance wave-guide systems, and submarine repeatered cable systems. Research is also being undertaken on the lives of thermionic valves and their components, and the basic properties of materials, including semi-conductors.
The research effort is directed to meeting the increased demand for rapid, accurate, and reliable communications at reduced cost. Much of the work on conventional communications will be of great value in the development of satellite communications. More specifically, the research work on satellites includes highly sensitive receivers, large steerable aerial systems, and special transmitting and receiving techniques. Certain aspects are also being studied jointly with the Royal Aircraft and Royal Radar establishments of the Ministry of Aviation