§ 69. Mr. HARDIEasked the Postmaster-General whether blind persons, having paid their wireless licence prior to 1st January, 1927, will he given a rebate on the period covered by the licence beyond 1st January, 1927?
Sir W. MITCHELL-THON1SONThe Wireless Telegraph (Blind Persons Facilities) Act, 1926, is not retrospective and contains no provision for the repayment of any part of the fees paid in respect of licences issued to blind persons before the 1st January, 1927. I cannot make a rebate in such cases.
§ Mr. HARDIEWill the right hon. Gentleman make some representation to his Cabinet to have some change made in the Bill in this respect?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONIt is not a Bill: it is an Act.
§ Mr. HARDIEI mean an amendment of the Act. Has he proposed any such amendment?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI think this is really a case where the amount of the rebate would be extraordinarily small and the amount of the cost to the Exchequer would be proportionately very high.
§ Mr. HARDIEWas the right hon. Gentleman aware when in working out these different figures and proportions, showing the amount to be very high on the one side and very low on the other, that no matter how small the sum might. be, to some of these blind people it is very large indeed?
§ 73. Mr. HARLANDasked the Postmaster-General whether, as the Wireless Telegraphy (Blind Persons Facilities) Act, 1926, does not apply to blind persons who are resident in blind schools, blind institutions, or blind cottage homes, His Majesty's Government intend to amend the Act so that all blind persons may receive the benefit eon (erred upon other blind persons by that Act?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONA blind institution, like other charitable institutions, can obtain permission for the installation of a number of wireless receiving sets under one licence at a fee of 10s. a year, and I do not think such a payment is unreasonable. The Government does not propose to amend the Wireless Telegraphy (Blind Persons Facilities) Act in the manner suggested.