§ MR. ROUNDasked the Postmaster General, If he is able to make any announcement with reference to the reduction of the amount of guarantee now required by the Treasury in cases of telegraph extensions in rural districts?
§ MR. FAWCETTSir, in reply to the hon. Member, I have to state with regard to future telegraph extensions under guarantee that, by an arrangement lately sanctioned by the Treasury, the amount of the guarantee need not be lodged in advance with the Post Office; but guarantors will merely be called upon at the end of each year to make up the deficiency of revenue if any. This, I think, will be found to be a substantial concession. On the other hand, the Treasury have somewhat altered the principle upon which the amount of the guarantee is to be calculated; and the effect of this will, in some cases, be that the amount will be slightly larger than it would have been under the old system.