asked the Postmaster-General whether he is acting on the recommendation of the Geddes Committee that the subsidy of £2,800 a year paid to the Eastern Extension, Australasia and China Telegraph Company should be discontinued; and whether any other subsidies are being paid to the cable companies?

The subsidy in question has now ceased. The only remaining cable subsidy is that payable to the West India and Panama Telegraph Company for a period of 10 year s, under an agreement approved by the House of Commons on the 25th August, 1914. That agreement will expire next year.