Commonwealth Press Rate

HC Deb 19 November 1958 vol 595 c158W

88. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Postmaster-General what action he will take to preserve the Commonwealth Press rate at its present level.

Mr. Marples

In a statement in another place on 4th November, my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations stressed the importance of reliable communications in strengthening the Commonwealth and said that he regarded a Commonwealth Press rate cheaper than the ordinary rate as a cornerstone of Commonwealth communications. There is no present proposal to alter the rate. Obviously not merely the United Kingdom but the whole of the Commonwealth would be concerned in this matter. The present penny rate is, however, uneconomic and I clearly cannot guarantee that it will be possible to maintain it indefinitely.