HC Deb 27 April 1927 vol 205 c830
18. Sir FREDRIC WISE

asked the Postmaster-General the number of wireless calls between Great Britain and the United States of America from the 1st January to the most convenient date; and if the service is paying its way?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)

The total number of calls up to and including the 24th of this month was 769. The service is not yet self-supporting. Receipts at present cover working costs but not interest and depreciation.

Colonel DAY

Are any negotiations taking place on the reduction of the charges for these telephone calls?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

We must have a little more experience of the working of the service.

Colonel DAY

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that more of these calls would be placed if the fees were more reasonable?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

That is a matter of opinion.