§ MR. W. T. WILSON (Lancashire, Westhoughton)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he can explain the reason for the delays on telegraph work, while at the same time the staff is being reduced at a number of offices and the work is decreasing; whether he is aware 520 that no change in the holiday system of the staff has taken place for a number of years, while delays on messages have been increasing during the past two or three years; whether definite instructions are issued to officers in certain offices that certain averages are to be maintained in. each circuit before additional ones are opened; and whether the use of high-speed Wheatstone apparatus is forbidden until a delay of 30 minutes on ordinary commercial work has accrued.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I fear that I can add little to the reply I gave to the hon. Member a few days ago. There must at times be delay of telegrams unless offices are kept perpetually staffed on a scale to deal with every exceptional pressure. The hon. Member will see that such a course is altogether impracticable. It is clearly the duty of superintendents to see that a proper average of work is attained on circuits which are open before they open others, and this also I trust the hon. Member will recognise to be reasonable. The use of Wheatstone apparatus on emergencies is a matter rather too technical for explanation in reply to a Question.