asked the Postmaster General, If he would consider the expediency of authorizing, for the benefit of the Revenue and of the public, the sender of a telegram to receive a reply not exceeding ten words on the payment of an additional sixpence?

I have made inquiries, Sir, on the subject to which the Question of the hon. Member refers, and I am sorry to say that it would not be advisable to take the course indicated. The Department are put to exactly as much trouble in sending a reply, as in sending the original message; and we do not believe the number of replies would be so much increased by the reduction my hon. Friend proposes, as to justify us in making the change.