§ 39. Mr. LEWISasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that for the year 1930-31 for every shilling's worth of telegraphy used by the public, the State contributed a subsidy of, approximately, 2¼d.; and if he will cause inquiry to be made as to what further measures may be necessary to convert the telegraph service from a national burden into a source of revenue for the relief of taxation?
§ Sir K. WOODI am, of course, aware that the telegraph service is being carried 1431 on at substantial loss, although there has been a substantial reduction in the deficit since the year quoted. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to the reply which was given to a question by the hon. Member for Leeds Central (Mr. Denman) on the 26th instant.
§ Mr. LEWISWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether this loss would not largely disappear if the cost of Press telegrams was borne by newspaper proprietors instead of being largely borne by the general public?
§ Sir K. WOODI hardly think that would be so. I can give my hon. Friend the figure, but I am afraid it would not considerably affect the very substantial deficit there is at present. I think it must be in other ways that we must endeavour more particularly to deal with the situation.
§ Mr. DENMANWill the right hon. Gentleman, instead of attending to outside committees, deal with this matter himself in any way he knows to be possible?
§ Sir K. WOODI do not know to what my hon. Friend refers, but he may be assured that I am giving constant personal attention to the matter.