Mr. PRICEasked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to furnish particulars of the decisions at the International Telegraph and Radio- Telegraph Conferences held at Madrid?
922W
§ 7. Sir K. WOODThe following are the principal decisions of the International Telegraph and Radio-Telegraph Conferences of Madrid:
Application.
Except as stated below, the new rules will come into force on 1st January, 1934. They affect Imperial and foreign telegrams, both cable and wireless, but not British inland telegrams.
Code telegrams.
The maximum length of a code word is reduced from 10 letters to five letters; and the charge for telegrams containing code words is reduced to 60 per cent. of the present full rates in services with countries outside Europe, and to 70 per cent. of the present full rates in services within Europe. The reduced rate applies to the address and signature as well as to the text. In each case there is a minimum charge as for five words (or ls. 3d., if that is greater).
Plain language words may be used in the text of the new kind of code telegrams in conjunction with the five-letter code words. They are charged at the reduced rate and are counted at five letters to a word.
Figures may also be used in the text of these telegrams at the reduced rate and are counted at five figures to a word. The total number of chargeable figure groups must not exceed one-half of the total chargeable words (excluding the address). If it does exceed one-half, the whole telegram is chargeable at the full rate.
When the new rules come into operation, the code words (whether artificial groups or actual words) of from six to 10 letters now in use will only be allowed in telegrams paid at the full rate, and will be counted at five letters to a word.
Urgent telegrams.
The rate for "urgent" telegrams, at present three times the ordinary rate, will be reduced to double the ordinary rate, on 1st April next.
Letter-telegrams.
On the same date, letter-telegrams in extra-European services will be put on a uniform basis at one-third of the full rates with a minimum charge as for 25 words. A new night-letter-telegram service will be introduced between European countries at half rates with a minimum charge as for 25 words, and with delivery on the morning after handing in.
923WInternational telegraph and telephone charges.
An article in the Telegraph Regulations has been re-enacted under which—if it were accepted by His Majesty's Government—it would become necessary for international telegraph and telephone rates to be revised after this Conference and fixed upon the current exchange value of sterling in relation to gold. The practical effect of such a revision at the present moment would be to increase all overseas telegraph and telephone rates collected in Great Britain by upwards of 40 per cent. Such an increase would not, in my opinion, be justified in present conditions, and the British delegates were accordingly instructed to make a formal reservation stating that this country accepted no obligation under the regulation in question. This reservation, together with similar reservations on behalf of a number of other countries, has been included in a Final Protocol signed concurrently with the Telegraph Regulations on behalf of all the signatory powers.
Revision of regulations.
The regulations governing the international telegraph, telephone and radio services have been revised in detail, improved, and brought up to date.
Radio.
Provisions have been adopted for avoiding the use of unnecessarily high power by wireless stations, for reducing interference between wireless services, and for ensuring a wider international observance of the agreed apportionment of wavebands between broadcasting and other uses. The band of wavelengths available for broadcasting has been somewhat extended; and the European Governments have agreed to hold a Conference in Switzerland in the early part of next year to decide on the allocation of broadcasting wavelengths among the countries of Europe.