§ 29. Mr. LEWISasked the Postmaster-General whether he will inquire into the use made by the Press of the right to send telegrams below the cost of the service with a view to considering whether this indirect subsidy can, in the interest of public economy, be to some extent reduced without restricting the transmission of news of public importance?
§ Mr. WHITEI assume that what my hon. Friend has in mind is a restriction in the range of messages eligible for the Press rate. I am afraid that it would not be practicable for my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General to decide what news is of public importance and what is not. In any case, a radical curtailment of the privilege at present enjoyed by the Press in the matter of news telegrams would require legislation.
§ Mr. LEWISDoes my hon. Friend realise that this indirect subsidy to the Press is the principal reason why the telegraph service is earned on at a heavy loss instead of a substantial profit?
§ Mr. WHITEOf course, that is well known, but it involves a matter of policy which cannot be dealt with within the limits of a Parliamentary question.