§ 21. Mr. BAKERasked the Postmaster-General the value of the free telegraph facilities given to the railway companies for each of the last 10 years; and whether he will consider the desirability of redeeming such rights?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNWith my hon. Friend's permission, I propose to circulate the reply, which contains the statement of value, year by year, for which he asks, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ The value, at the rates ordinarily charged to members of the public, of the telegrams transmitted free, year by year, for the railway companies of Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the past 10 years is:
| £ | |||||
| 1914 | … | … | … | … | 47,000 |
| 1915 | … | … | … | … | 47,000 |
| 1916 | … | … | … | … | 49,000 |
| 1917 | … | … | … | … | 48,000 |
| 1918 | … | … | … | … | 42,000 |
| 1919 | … | … | … | … | 42,000 |
| 1920 | … | … | … | … | 49,000 |
| 1921 | … | … | … | … | 54,000 |
| 1922 | … | … | … | … | 64,000 |
| 1923 | … | … | … | … | 83,000 |
§ The tariff was increased from 6d. for 12 words to 9d. on the 1st November, 1915, and from 9d. to 1s. on the 1st September, 1920. The time does not seem opportune for considering proposals for redemption.