§ Mr. VAUGHANasked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the recommendation from the Newport telegraph and telephone advisory committee concerning the adoption of a system of zone charges for telegrams, i.e., that within a limited radius a charge of 6d. per 12-word telegram be made and, as an alternative, that a scale of morning, afternoon, and night charges for telegrams at reduced rates be authorised similar to the system already adopted with telephones; and whether he proposes to accept the recommendations?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI have considered the suggestions, but I regret I cannot see my way to adopt them. The costs involved in the transmission and delivery of a telegram are such that a reduction of charges, even within short distances1826W or limited hours, would necessarily increase the loss on a service which is already unremunerative.