§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Postmaster-General if betting persons belonging to clubs have special arrangements over traders for communicating news by telegraph; whether he is aware that a dealer in bread or meat would pay £2 1s. 8d. for 100 words to each of ten customers, and that these betting persons can use the national wires, addresses free, for messages of the same length for 2s. 6d. day or night; and, if so, will he explain why this preference is given.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Clubs are, under Section 16 of the Telegraph Act of 1868, entitled to the benefit of the very low telegraph rates accorded to Press messages; and I have no power to discriminate against a legitimate club because it is used by betting persons. I propose to consider whether the section ought not to be amended in certain respects.