§ 1. Captain ALAN GRAHAMasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the disparity between the full telegram rate of 4½d. a word to Greece and 1s. 1½d. a word to the adjacent British Colony of 1334 circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Cyprus; that whereas Greenland, Morocco, and the Greek and Italian Aegean Islands and Turkey in Asia are classified for Imperial and foreign telegrams under the European system, the British colony of Cyprus, geographically within the European system, is itself classified as in the extra-European system, with correspondingly higher rates; and whether, on the grounds of justice and Imperial trade, he will remedy this state of affairs before the end of this session?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Major Tryon)I am aware of the difference in the rates quoted by my hon. and gallant. Friend. The route for telegrams to Cyprus is over submarine cables via Alexandria, and the telegraph charge is therefore based on the rate to Egypt. In these circumstances, the classification of the island as belonging to the European Telegraph system would not result in a reduction of the rate.
§ 1. Captain GRAHAMasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the current Post Office Guide (No. 274, January, 1936) makes no mention of Nicosia or other principal towns in Cyprus in the list of principal places 1335 abroad to which telegrams are sent, whereas places in Crete and Albania are mentioned; and whether, in view of the importance of Cyprus both as a British Colony and as the third largest island in the Mediterranean, he will, in the next issue of the Post Office Guide, correct these omissions, at least in respect of Nicosia, Famagusta, Larnaca, and Limassol?
§ Major TRYONI will arrange for the names of the places to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers to be included in the next issue of the Post Office Guide.