HC Deb 28 October 1912 vol 43 c71W
Mr. GODFREY COLLINS

asked the Postmaster-General the rates charged for ordinary telegrams in France, Germany, and Belgium, and the total net revenue, after deducting all expenditure, which accrues to each country through the telegraph service being a State service?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The rates charged for ordinary internal telegrams in France, Germany, and Belgium are:—

  • France—50 centimes for ten words or less; 5 centimes per word beyond ten.
  • Germany—50 pfennig for ten words or less; 5 pfennig per word beyond ten.
  • Belgium—50 centimes for fifteen words or less; 10centimes extra for each series of five words up to fifty; and a further 10 centimes for each series of ten words beyond fifty.
So far as I am aware, the French. German and Belgian Post Offices do not publish any estimate of the expenses of their inland telegraph services. I am unable, therefore, to say what, if any, net revenue they derive from their telegraphs.