§ 53. Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the Postmaster-General what is the cast of the teleprinter to the Post Office itself and what will be the comparative cost of hiring out a machine to a member of the public; whether he proposes to sell the machine outright to a potential purchaser; and, if not, why not?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Graham White)It is not in the public interest to publish contract prices. As regards the last part of the question, in order to provide satisfactory service by means of teleprinters working over telephone lines, maintenance by specially trained staff is essential, and this is covered by the rental. Those who desire teleprinters for use over their own lines or over leased telegraph lines will be able to buy direct from the manufacturers.
§ Mr. SMITHAs, apparently, the Postmaster-General hopes to make up some of the loss on the telegraph service by tile sale or rental of these ingenious and useful instruments, would he consider the suggestion that he might be able to make more profit if he let these instruments at a lower cost, and if a very much larger number were placed?
§ Mr. WHITEThere is no question here of any abnormal profit. The usual principle which governs these matters applies in this case, namely, to provide the most efficient service, at the lowest possible cost.
§ Mr. SMITHIs it not apparent that a very large sum in respect of overhead charges is included in these rental charges?