§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Postmaster General, whether he will state how long the high rate levied for a telephone message between London and Paris,—viz. eight shillings for three minutes time, and sixteen shillings for six minutes consecutive time—has been in existence, and the estimated cost of construction of the telephone between London and Paris, the annual revenue, and the estimated expenditure for the Paris—London telephone.
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, Worcestershire, E.)The present rate of charge for telephonic communication between London and Paris has been in force since the 1st April 1891. I have no information as to the cost of construction or maintenance of the French section of the line, nor is it possible to separate accurately the cost of working this line from other telegraph expenditure.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONDoes the telephone pay?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINYes, I think it does.