§ SIR EDWARD SASSOON (Hythe)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether there exist any reasons for not giving effect to the recommendation in the Report of the Departmental Committee on Cables, issued in 1900, for instituting a system of deferred messages to and from India at reduced rates; if so, would he state them; and, if not, would the India Office be moved to take immediate steps to bring it about.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BUCHANAN,) Perthshire, E.The introduction of a system of deferred messages to and from India at reduced rates rests with the telegraph companies that transmit the Indian traffic. The Secretary of State will refer the question of introduction to the boards of the companies concerned for their consideration.
§ SIR EDWARD SASSOONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the expediency of appointing a small Depart- 1848 mental Committee to investigate this matter?
§ MR. BUCHANANI should like notice of that.
§ SIR EDWARD SASSOONI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India what was the amount earned in 1907–8 by the Joint Purse, and what are the standard earnings which will automatically bring down the Indian telegraph rate to 1s. 6d. per word.
§ MR. BUCHANANThe amount earned by the Cis-India Joint Purse partners on traffic between Europe and India during 1907–08 was £363,531 3s. 7d. There is no standard of revenue, the earning of which would automatically bring down the Indian telegraph rate to 1s. 6d. per word.
§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYDo the Government intend to reduce the rate, if possible?
§ MR. BUCHANANWe should like to reduce it, of course.