§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he was unable to give to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West an answer to his parliamentary Question on 16th June asking for the costs of the telexed apology to the President of the Royal College of Nursing, whereas he was able to give the information in his letter to the hon. Member on 19th July that the telex of 825 words cost £2.51.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe answer given on 16th June remains correct. The precise cost of the telex in unknown. As explained in my right hon. Friend's letter of 19th July, telex messages are not charged by the word but by time and distance. Time depends on a number of factors including the speed of the operator. The figure of £2.51 was an estimate for the 825 words in question based on the probable transmission time over the distance involved. It cannot be confirmed or verified.