§ 57 Major ARCHER-SHEEasked the Postmaster-General (1) whether, in compliance with the recommendation of the Dominions Royal Commission, he can say whether any of the formalities complained of by the Royal Commission connected with the sending of deferred and week-end messages to Australasia will be abolished; and whether the extra charge made to the public for the service communication will be abolished; (2) whether, in view of the fact that' the members of the Dominions Royal Commission in their interim Report said that the present high rates press more heavily on the community there than on that in the United Kingdom, and that the representations from the Dominions which are made from time to time in favour of the construction of an Atlantic cable receive less consideration than they deserve, he can say what is the present state of negotiation between the Australian Governments and the Home 755 Government with reference to the calling of a subsidiary Imperial Conference to consider the question of laying a State-owned cable across the Atlantic; and (3) whether, in compliance with the recommendations of the Dominions Royal Commission, he will issue instructions that, as far as the United Kingdom is concerned, week-end messages will in future be transmitted by telegraph in the United Kingdom, both ways, without extra charge?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt is not proposed to modify the conditions to be fulfilled by the senders of deferred and week-end letter telegrams. They form a safeguard against abuse, and could not be relaxed without the consent of the administrations concerned. As regards the proposed subsidiary Imperial Conference to consider the question of laying a State-owned cable across the Atlantic, the hon. Member was informed by my predecessor in February, 1913, that a dispatch had been sent to the Commonwealth Government on the subject. No reply has yet been received to that dispatch. As stated in reply to the hon. Member's question yesterday, week-end letter telegrams will on and after the 1st proximo be forwarded by telegraph both ways in this country if it is necessary in order to secure delivery on the Tuesday. This service will be performed without extra charge.
§ 58. Major ARCHER-SHEEasked whether the recommendation that a daily cable-letter service with Australasia should be established is receiving further consideration from the General Post Office, in view of the disagreement with the arguments put forward by the chairman of the Pacific Cable Board expressed by the Dominions Royal Commission?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Montagu)The matter is one which primarily concerns the Pacific Cable Board, who are not at present prepared to consider the suggestion.