LORD CLAUD JOHN HAMILTONasked the Postmaster General, Whether he can hold out any hopes of an early reduction in the present rate of charges for Post Office Telegraph messages?
§ MR. MONSELLI am afraid that I cannot give an answer to the noble Lord's Question which will be entirely satisfactory. The strain upon the Telegraph Department has been very great. The number of messages continues to increase rapidly, and the demands for additional, or for extended accommodation are urgent. In the last three years 10,000 miles of line, with 50,000 miles of wire, have been laid down. No reduction in the price of telegrams could be made without a large increase of plant and staff. Calculations are being made as to what increase a sixpenny rate would necessitate, but they are not yet completed. Until they are, it is impossible for me to form an opinion as to the expediency of soon reducing the present rate of charge or to submit my views to the Treasury, with whom, as a financial question, the decision would ultimately rest.