HC Deb 27 March 1957 vol 567 cc1126-7
22. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider compiling and making available a coding system such as exists for commercial cables with a view to enabling inexpensive coded domestic messages to be sent; and if he will give an estimate of the extent to which the present minimum charge could then be reduced for such brief messages drawn from the official code.

Mr. K. Thompson

A coded domestic inland telegram would not cost less to handle than an ordinary telegram sent at the minimum charge. There could, therefore, be no reduction in the present minimum charge which is, in any case, below cost.

Mr. Sorensen

How is it that, in fact, commercial codes exist which obviously must have some financial advantage? Why cannot there be domestic codes?

Mr. Thompson

Commercial codes have a dual advantage in that they may save money on the length of the message and also are secret in their contents. Those are commercial considerations which do not apply in the case of domestic users.