§ MR. ANDERSONasked the Postmaster General, If he has considered, or if, before the Telegraph Conference, he will consider, the expediency of adopting a letter scale or syllable scale of charge, in place of the present word scale, with a view of encouraging the use of short words, and thereby enabling the wires to convey a greater number of messages?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSSir, the question of adopting a letter or syllable scale of charge for telegraphic messages has been considered; but there are practical difficulties in the way of its adoption. It is probable that the question will be again considered at the next Conference.
§ MR. WHITWELLasked the Postmaster General, Whether the International Conference on Postal and Telegraphic matters will take place this year; and, if not, whether he will direct that the inequality of the rate between telegrams from the Continent to London and telegrams from the Continent to the provinces will be removed by action of the Home authorities?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSSir, the Postal Congress was held in Paris in May and June of this year. The Telegraph Conference will meet in London in June of next year. I have no power to alter the rates for telegrams; but negotiations are now going on with foreign Governments for the assimilation of the London and provincial rates.
§ MR. WHITWELLasked, whether matters would be settled before next year?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSsaid, he had reason to hope it would be settled speedily.