HC Deb 04 November 1965 vol 718 cc225-6W
66. Mrs. Lena Jeger

asked the Postmaster-General what licensing arrangements he has agreed with news agencies; what variation has been necessitated by the reduction in the services of Exchange Telegraph; and if he will give an assurance that it is not his policy to support a monopoly system of home and Parliamentary agency reporting.

Mr. Benn

The Post Office has a Licence and Agreement with the Exchange Telegraph Company for its operations. It also leases some circuits from the Post Office to enable it to conduct this business. No variation in this agreement has been sought by the company since its recent announcement concerning the curtailment of its services.

With regard to the latter part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given earlier today by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to my hon. Friends the Members for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins) and Kettering (Sir G. de Freitas).