20. Mr. ANSTRUTHIER-GRAYasked the Postmaster-General why the general rates for Empire radio-telegrams have been increased; and why the special cheap week-end rates have been discontinued?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)The general rates for Empire radio-telegrams have not been increased. The International Telegraph Conference held at Madrid last autumn decided on the unification of letter-telegram services with countries outside Europe. Under the scheme adopted a uniform rate of out-third of the full rate has, with a few exceptions, been applied to these services. It is unfortunate that the scheme has resulted in certain increases of rates and in the withdrawal of the specially low rates for week-end 1215 letter-telegrams; but in view of the representations made by the telegraph companies of the world, the Conference decided that, under present conditions, the maintenance of these low rates could not be justified.