§ 56. Mr. WATTasked the Postmaster-General whether the loss of £120,000 annually to his Department on the exceptionally low prices charged for Press telegrams still goes on; has this loss increased or decreased since the War; and has he considered the advisability of saving this sum in these war times?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)Nothing has occurred to alter the unremunerative character of the Press telegraph business arising from the low rates which were fixed by Statute in 1868. An estimate made in 1912 indicated a loss of rather more than £200,000 a year, and as the number of Press telegrams has increased since the War by about 10 per cent, the loss also has probably increased.
§ Mr. WATTWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of bringing in a Bill to alter this?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes. The subject is receiving the attention of the Government.