§ MR. COOPERTo ask the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office send a special staff of telegraphists to race meetings; and, if so, how many were sent to the Epsom racecourse on Derby Day, 1908, and to the Doncaster racecourse on the St. Leger Day, 1908; whether he can say in what building the telegraph office is situated on a racecourse, whether the Post Office hires the room or whether the racecourse authorities make a payment for the facilities offered; and whether the telegrams to the Press giving the betting and state of odds receive the usual Press rebate.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The Post Office sends a special staff to all important race meetings; sixty-four men were sent to Epsom on Derby Day and sixty-two to Doncaster for the St. Leger. The racecourse authorities provide the office free; it is usually either in or adjoining the grand stand. Messages sent to the Press under the usual regulations go at the Press rates prescribed by Parliament; the Postmaster-General has no authority to discriminate against certain items of news such as those giving the state of the odds.