§ 65. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Postmaster-General the annual loss for the past three. years on Press telegrams; and whether he proposes to take steps to make a charge commensurate with the work done and expenses incurred so that no less to his Department may result in the future?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONExpenditure cannot be apportioned with exactitude between Press and ordinary telegrams; but the hook loss on Press telegrams is roughly estimated to have been between £200,000 and, £250,000 a year in the last three years. The existing Press telegraph rates can only be altered by legislation, which I am not at present prepared to introduce. I should add that the assumption of my hon. and gallant Friend that the loss can be extinguished by increasing charges is erroneous, unless charges be so far increased as practically to extinguish the traffic. I am engaged on a review of the whole position in regard to the Inland Telegraph Service.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKCan the right hon. Gentleman state whether the very 753 old agreement which the Post Office made with the Press is that the maximum rate should not be increased?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI should require notice of that question.