§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the high cost of telegraphy as compared to telephony in this country, he will consider the desirability of increasing the number of words which can be sent for the minimum charge of one shilling?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am not aware of any ground for the suggestion that the cost of telegraphy in this country is high as compared with that of telephony. In any case, however, there is already a substantial loss on the inland telegraph service, and I could not agree to a rate concession which would lead to a considerable increase in the cost of the operation combined with a probable sacrifice of revenue.