§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, what proportions of the 4d. per word paid for telegrams to Spain from this country are assigned to the British Government, the Spanish Government, and the Cable Companies respectively; and, whether he has any objection to lay upon the Table a copy of the existing contract or contracts on the subject?
§ MR. HANBURYThe "conventional" charge for a telegram sent by cable to Spain is 40 centimes a word, and the proportion assignable to Spain under Paragraph XXIV. of the International Regulations, agreed upon at the Conference of Paris is 10 centimes. The balance belongs to the company by whose cable the telegram is sent. If any service is performed by the Post Office in connection with the telegram, the payment for such service is regulated by the general Agreements between the Department and the Companies. I scarcely think it necessary to lay these old Agreements on the Table of the House. There are no specific contracts on the subject to which the hon. Member refers.