§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether his attention has been directed to the Parliamentary Return just issued, from which it appears that there was a loss, including interest on telegraph loans, of nearly £1,000,000 on the telegraph business last year; and whether he will now consider the advisability of appointing a Committee of business men to inquire into the cause of this loss on the telegraph service of the country.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe loss to which my hon. friend refers is made up of £651,880, the balance of expenditure over receipts for the year, and 1113 £298,860, the interest of the telegraph capital expenditure of £10,867,644. The reasons for the loss are well known, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of a Committee of Enquiry.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONWhat are the reasons for the loss?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe public, through its representatives in this House, has preferred to get a return for its money in the shape of greater facilities rather than in revenue. Consequently we are doing business at a loss.