MR. R. L. HARMS WORTH (Caithnessshire)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the possibility of giving greater facilities for the despatch of telegrams in rural districts remote from telegraph offices by permitting them to be accepted at the nearest sub-post 1601 office, and to be taken from there to the most convenient telegraph office by the local post runners at the usual mileage rate.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) A prepaid telegram may be handed to a rural postman on his way to a telegraph office, or may be posted anywhere, to be sent on by the next collection to the nearest convenient telegraph office. No mileage rate is charged for this service. I am afraid it would be impracticable to arrange that messengers should be available at a country sub-office at any time to carry telegrams at mileage rate to a telegraph office.