Three International Telecommunications Conferences are scheduled to take place in Atlantic City, N.J., as follows:

(1) International Telecommunications Conference (Administrative) commencing May 15th — for the revision of the International Radiocommunication Regulations (last revision made at Cairo in 1938);

(2) Plenipotentiary Conference of International Telecommunication Union (.T.U.), commencing July 1st — to draw up new International Telecommunication Convention to replace the existing convention signed at Madrid in 1932.

(3) International High Frequency Broadcasting Conference, to be held immediately after (1) for the purpose of securing a more orderly regulation of long distance broadcasting services and assigning to countries specific channels in the several bands set aside for such services by the conference under (1) above.

2. The position which Canada should take on important questions of policy at these conferences will form the subject of a separate memorandum at a later date. It is important, however, for planning and administrative purposes to determine the composition of the Canadian government delegation as soon as possible, and the Department of Transport, in consultation with the Interdepartmental Committee on Telecommunications Policy, recommend for your approval that the delegation be composed of the following:

T.A. Stone. (Canadian Minister at Washington)
- Head of delegation
G.C.W. Browne, (Controller of Radio)
- Revision of convention and general administrative regulations J.W. Bain, (Senior Radio Engineer)
- General broadcasting services and frequency allocations for such W.E. Connelly, (Supt. of Radio)
- International traffic accounting rates, etc.

L.E. Coffey, (Radio Engineer)
- Radio aids to nagivation. Certification of operators; equipment standards

C.J. Acton, (Supervising Radio Inspector)
- Overall frequency allocation to services

W/C S.R. Burbank, RCAF, (Liaison Officer, Armed Forces) J.J. Côté, (External Affairs)
E.W.T. Gill, (Privy Council Office)

3. The Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs has arranged that Mr. Stone will be available as the nominal head of the delegation on the understanding that he will not be expected to participate on a full-time basis or to take any active part in the committee work.

4. In addition to the government officials listed above, various organizations interested in these conferences have been invited to send observers and the following have indicated their intention to be represented as shown:

Canadian National Telegraphs

Mr. W.M. Armstrong
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Dr. Augustin Frigon
Mr. Donald Manson
Mr. W.G. Richardson
Mr. Arthur Phelps
Mr. R.D. Cahoon
Trans-Canada Air Lines
Mr. S.S. Stevens
Canadian Association of Broadcasters
Mr. Harry Dawson
The Commercial Telegraphers' Union
Mr. J.N.A. Blouin
Canadian Marconi Company
Mr. L.S. Payne
American Radio Relay League
Mr. A. Reid
Canadian Pacific Railway Co.
Mr. D.L. Howard

5. The conferences are regarded as important to Canada particularly since the pattern for the future use of the radio spectrum is likely to be settled at the administrative sessions. In addition, the re-organization of the international Telecommunications Union and the question of bringing it into relationship with the United Nations are scheduled to be discussed at the plenipotentiary session. Having regard to the number of issues being dealt with and their scope, the size of the delegation is considered to be very modest and it might well be found necessary to augment this from time to time by calling in some specialists or assistants for specific purposes. However, this will be kept to a minimum and it is not intended that any personnel required in this way should form part of the regular delegation.

6. If you approve the delegation set forth above, it. is proposed to ask the Secretary of State for External Affairs to seek authority of the Governor in Council for the delegates to be placed on an expense account basis rather than a flat rate allowance. This is considered necessary to provide a more equitable arrangement for those (e.g., the representative of the Armed Services) whose flat rate allowance is inadequate in present circumstances.

7. I should be grateful if you would inform me whether the proposals submitted herein have your approval.²²

²²²²Approuvé par le Cabinet le 7 mai, décret C.P. 3124.
Approved by Cabinet. May 7, and P.C. 3124.