HC Deb 21 June 1932 vol 267 cc909-10
32. Sir PARK GOFF

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will, for the purpose of helping to increase employment, make the same reduced charges for telegrams used for purely commercial objects as are already conceded for Press telegrams relating to news?

Mr. WHITE

My right hon. Friend is sorry he cannot see his way to introduce the legislation which would be necessary to give effect to my hon. Friend's proposal. Apart from the practical difficulty of discriminating between commercial and other telegrams, he would not be justified at the present time in taking any steps which would increase the loss on a service on which there is already a considerable deficit.

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE

Would it not be better to do away with this unnecessary subsidy to the Press?

Mr. WHITE

That is a matter that could only be dealt with by legislation. My right hon. Friend has already stated in reply to a recent question that he is not prepared to introduce legislation.

Mr. HANNON

Is it necessary to introduce legislation in order to effect a change in the Post Office tariff?

Mr. WHITE

This matter is under the constant and anxious attention of my light hon. Friend. If my hon. Friend has any suggestion to make, my right hon. Friend will only be too glad to go into it with him.

Mr. HANNON

The hon. Member has not answered my question. Is the Post Office tariff subject to the discretion of the Postmaster-General or must we have legislation to change it?

Mr. WHITE

It would require legislation.

Mr. ATTLEE

Is it not a fact that specially favourable tariffs to the Press were part of a bargain made, and that that was the only way in which the telegraphs could be taken over?

Mr. WHITE

Yes.