§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONasked the Postmaster-General whether the Eastern and Associated Telegraph Companies had informed him that reduced Press rates would come into operation on the 1st of March between Great Britain and Egypt, British East Africa, the Union of South Africa, Rhodesia, Straits Settlements, and many other places; whether these rates were for ordinary and not deferred messages, and what was the amount of the average reduction; whether it was proposed to reduce Government charges in return for concessions made by the Eastern Companies; and whether those rates operated both ways?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe Eastern and Associated Telegraph Companies have announced that reduced Press rates will come into operation on the 1st March between the United Kingdom and Egypt, British East Africa, the Union of South Africa, Rhodesia, Straits Settlements, and a number of other places, including Cyprus, Zanzibar, and Mauritius. The companies intimate that they reserve to themselves the right to transmit Press telegrams at these reduced rates after all other traffic. But the messages sent at the reduced rates will not constitute a new class subject to special deferment. The reductions made by the companies range from about 50 to about 75 per cent. The charge made by the British Post Office for dealing with such of the traffic as is collected or delivered by the postal telegraph system will be reduced proportionately. The reduced rates apply to traffic in both directions.