5 JULY 1913, Page 11

The Marconi Committee held its last sitting on Wednesday. Its

investigations have extended over eight months. The Postmaster-General was present—it is understood at his own request—and explained the position of the Government in view of the repudiation of the contract by the Marconi Company.

The Government did not admit that the company had a legal right to repudiate the contract, but they were advised that it was not practicable to take any legal proceedings against the company. The contract in any case would not be valid unless ratified by the House of Commons, and the question was whether the Government could properly ask the House to ratify the contract merely to make litigation with the other party to the contract possible. Further, the Government had been advised that the contract was not one in respect of which a Court would order specific performance. The only possible proceedings would be an action for damages, and the Govern- ment could not recover anything substantial unless substantial loss could be proved. The Government bad therefore decided not to embark upon legal proceedings of any kind.