§ MR. M'EWAN (Edinburgh, Central)asked the Postmaster General, Whether it is true that, after six months' consideration, the Post Office Authorities have refused to grant a licence to the proprietors of the Writing Telegraph to use their system under the same conditions as the various Telephone Companies use their systems; and, whether, if it be true, this is in accordance with the usage in respect to other companies desiring to use telegraph systems?
§ SIR HERBERT MAXWELL (A LORD of the TREASURY)(who replied) said (Wigton)I am requested by my right hon. Friend to say, in reply to the hon. Member, that it is the fact that, after 162 due consideration, he has refused to grant a licence to the proprietors of the Writing Telegraph. He thinks it preferable that, if there is a substantial demand for the establishment of exchanges to be worked by that instrument, they should be in the hands of the Post Office, the instruments being supplied by the proprietors on terms to be arranged.