§ 27. Mr. WELLOCKasked the Postmaster-General at what date the existing Post Office beam wireless telegraph charges were fixed; the number of messages that were being handled per month at that time; and the number that are being handled per month at the present time?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe rates by the Post Office beam services for telegrams to and from the Dominions and India were fixed by agreement with the beam companies in those countries before the services were opened at various dates between October, 1926 and September, 1927. They have remained in force unaltered, except for changes of comparatively small importance. It follows that no telegrams were being exchanged by beam when the rates were fixed. The total number of telegrams of all classes, inward and outward, handled by the beam services during the four weeks ended the 31st of March was 154,200.
§ Mr. WELLOCKDoes not the increase in the number of telegrams warrant a reduction in charges?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThat is a matter for discussion with the companies.
§ Mr. WELLOCKIs not that now made impossible, seeing that they have to provide dividends for the cables?
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it not a fact that, since the arrangement has been made, the control of the price of what was British Government property has gone into other hands?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONIt remains as before, a matter for discussion between the companies and the authorities in the Dominions.
§ Mr. HARDIEBut now with the authorities here.