§ 8. Mr. LYONSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the inconvenience arising from the fact that all wireless messages sent from Kenya to England have now to be paid for on a gold-franc basis, he will direct that in future all such messages transmitted by the Imperial and International 1965 Communications, Limited, shall be assessed and charged for on a sterling basis?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)Although the rates charged for wireless mesages sent from Kenya to England are based on the gold franc in accordance with the international practice laid down in the International Telecommunication Convention and the regulations attached thereto, the charges to the public are fixed in the local currency.
§ Mr. LYONSIn view of the fact that this is a matter affecting the Empire, will my right hon. Friend make representations?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not think I could do that, because all these postal matters are governed by an international convention, to which we and all the other countries are parties, and therefore it would alter the actual amount of money that people had to pay, but for the convenience of local people the actual cash is paid over in the currency of the country.