§ Mr. HURDasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether new contracts have been entered into with Reuter's Agency for the 892W transmission of British news to Canada and other British lands overseas; what State subsidies are involved; what is the exact nature of the services rendered; and are the same facilities and funds at the disposal of other news associations?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe payment to Reuters in respect of the Imperial News Service hitherto sent to Canada will not, according to present arrangements, continue after 31st October, but the question of continuing an Imperial Service on similar lines is under discussion with the Canadian Government. The payment to enable Reuters to meet the actual expenditure incurred in sending an amplified cable service of news of Imperial interest to other parts of the Empire has been approved up to 31st December. The total cost to Government funds involved on account of the Imperial News Service is, after 31st October, at the rate of approximately £9,300 per annum, of which part is met by His Majesty's Government, and the remainder by other British administrations interested. There is no similar arrangement with other news associations.