§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask the Postmaster General if he will explain to the House the nature 683 of the arrangements into which he has entered with the Boy Messengers and District Service Companies for the carrying on of their business under licence from the Post Office?
§ MR. RAIKESIn reply to the hon. Member, I have to state that the arrangements in question are as follows:—The Postmaster General grants licences for the electric call system in London (such system not to include telephones), and if requested to connect the offices of the company or other persons licensed with police stations and fire brigade stations on the same terms as those in force in private wires. The licence to be for 12 years, and a royalty of £25 per annum, and 2s. 6d. per instrument to be paid by the licencees. The company (or other licencees) will act as agents of the Postmaster General to deliver single letters scamped with the penny rate of postage, provided that a messenger of the company may carry any number of letters (not exceeding six) handed in by the same sender. The company is not to make collection of letters. The costs of the legal proceedings have been ordered to be paid by the companies. I should perhaps add, the Private Bill promoted by the Boy Messengers Company has been withdrawn.