HC Deb 24 April 1923 vol 163 cc282-3
78. Sir THOMAS HENDERSON

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make arrangements with the railway companies in rural districts to provide public telegraphic facilities at railway stations, especially where the nearest postal telegraph office is not within three miles of a village or railway station?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Telegraph business is already performed by the railway companies on behalf of the Post Office at a large number of rural railway stations, but the facilities are generally confined to the acceptance of telegrams and to delivery on the station premises—the companies as a rule being unable to provide a delivery service to the general public. I have no power to compel railway companies to undertake Post Office telegraph business, but where such facilities are desirable in the public interest efforts are made to induce them to do so. I shall be glad to make inquiries as regards any locality where facilities are not at present afforded if the hon. Member will be good enough to give me particulars.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that telephonic facilities are given at each station?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The answer is exactly the same. I have no power to compel the railway companies. My pre- decessor, the hon. Member for Ladywood (Mr. Neville Chamberlain), communicated with the railway companies about six weeks ago, asking them to consider the whole question, and negotiations are now proceeding.

Mr. W. THORNE

Does it mean that where a telegram is sent from a railway station to another station, the telegram has to wait there until notification can be sent to the people concerned to fetch it?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

That is so. I cannot compel the railway companies to deliver telegrams.

Mr. J. JONES

As railway companies are chartered companies, guaranteed certain powers by Acts of Parliament, have not the Government some power to compel them to facilitate trading and make it possible for people to do their business?