§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the patents for the more important telephones in use in this country expire in July next; and, if so, whether he is now in a position to announce the decision of the Post Office as to granting licences for Telephone Exchanges to applicants proposing to introduce loud-speaking and other improved forms of the telephone?
§ *THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES,) Cambridge UniversityIn reply to the hon. Member, I may state that it is the fact that one of the more important telephone patents expires in July. The question of the relations of the Post Office to the Telephone is one of great complexity, as well of great importance; it is more than a Departmental question. The subject has been occupying the anxious attention of Her Majesty's Government; but they have not yet come to any final arrangement as to the course they will pursue.
§ DR. CAMERONI will repeat the question on a later day.
§ MR. RAIKESI shall be glad to give the hon. Gentleman all the information in my power.