§ 54. Mr. WELLSasked the Postmaster-General if he proposes to take immediate action to carry out any of the recommendations of the committee on the inland telegraph service?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONSome of the proposals recommended by the committee were in fact being carried out before the report was received, and arrangements are now in progress for giving effect to others. The remaining proposals affect various interests both external and internal, and a good deal of time will be required for their consideration both by the Government and by the interests affected.
§ Mr. WELLSWill the right hon. Gentleman invite the assistance of a leading business man in regard to this service?
§ 55. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Postmaster-General whether his Department makes a close study of the working of the telegraph service in countries where this system is carried out under private enterprise with satisfactory financial results; and whether he will consider introducing certain of these business methods into this country?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONMy hon. Friend presumably refers to the United States of America. I hope to arrange shortly for another visit to be made by officers of the Post Office with a view to a close study of the American telegraph service, but it cannot be assumed that all the methods in force in the United States will be found suitable for adoption in this country, where conditions are very different.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINDoes the Postmaster-General agree with the speech 984 made by his Controller of Telegraphs in which he refers to this Report as
the vapourings of a so-called business committee and a monument of inconsistencies.Does he approve of that or not?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that as long as the telegraph service is conducted by a Government Department it can never reach years of discretion?