HC Deb 27 February 1896 vol 37 cc1223-4
MR. HENNIKER HEATON

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he can state the annual revenue derived by the Department from porterage on telegrams; whether he is aware that a boy employed in delivering telegrams in rural districts and the suburbs of towns frequently earns "porterage" enough in a few hours to cover his week's wages, and that, on the other hand, owing to "porterage," telegraphic communication with remote localities is practically nonexistent; and, whether he will abolish porterage on telegrams, and thus place on equality people living in the country with those living in the towns?

MR. HANBURY

The gross annual revenue is estimated at £60,000. The reply to the rest of the hon. Member's question is in the negative; but I may add that the Postmaster General is making inquiry with a view to ascertain whether, by an extended use of bicycles, a reduction cannot be effected in the charges for the longer distances, in which delivery is at present effected by man and horse.