§ MR. RADCLIFFE COOKE (Hereford)On behalf of the hon. Member for Deptford, I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether it is within the discretion of the Postmaster General to register newspapers for the receipt of telegrams at specially cheap rates, such telegrams being for publication; does the Post Office accept at such rates telegrams concerning the starting prices of racehorses, in order that bets may be made; is a list of newspapers, registered for that purpose, kept at the General Post Office; and is The Birmingham Racing News and Sporting Item amongst the publications so favoured?
§ MR. A. MORLEYIt is within the discretion of the Postmaster General to register newspapers for the receipt of telegrams at the Press rates. Such telegrams must consist exclusively of news for immediate publication in the newspapers to which they are addressed, and telegrams containing particulars respecting the starting prices of racehorses would be accepted at the Press rates if intended for publication in a registered newspaper. The answer to the two last 465 paragraphs of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative.
§ MR. RADCLIFFE COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of the paper mentioned in the question, the information telegraphed relates entirely to the starting prices of horses; has the Postmaster General any discretion in granting these special rates for telegrams; and, seeing that in the case of the newspaper referred to some time elapsed between the application being made and granted, is it right to assume inquiry was made into the matter?
§ MR. A. MORLEYI am not aware of the facts, but will make inquiry. The special rate is granted under an Act of Parliament.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Is it not a fact that the Post Office put a construction of their own on the Act of Parliament?
§ MR. A. MORLEYNo. They must be guided by the Act of Parliament.