§ 31. Mr. E. BROWN (for Mr. HORE-BELISHA)asked the Postmaster-General how many telegraph offices have been closed down during the past 12 months; whether the number of established messengers Employed in the delivery of telegrams has been cut down; and, if so, whether he is satisfied that the concession of free deliveries within the three-mile radius given by Act of Parliament is effectively guaranteed?
§ Major Sir WILLIAM COPE (Controller of the Household)I have been asked to reply. During the year ended the 31st of May, 1928, telegraph collection and delivery work was withdrawn from 29 offices. There has been a reduction in the established messenger force during the same period, but this is due to other causes, as all the offices now in question are small country sub-offices, at which 966 regular messengers are not usually Employed. The withdrawal of telegraph delivery facilities in certain cases has no doubt placed some addresses outside the radius of free delivery. Free delivery within a radius of three miles which is not a statutory requirement does not carry with it an obligation to maintain a delivery office within three miles of every address. But telegraph facilities are not withdrawn from an office unless the cost of maintaining them is clearly disproportionate to the usefulness of the office.