§ 78. Mr. SHAKESPEAREasked the Postmaster-General whether the task of advising him on telephone development falls to the Post Office Advisory Committee; what is the composition of that committee and who is the chairman; how often it meets and when; and whether they have power to initiate discussion and introduce subjects on the agenda?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Viant)The function of the Post Office Advisory Council is to advise the Postmaster-General on any matters referred to them, including that of telephone development, upon various aspects of which their opinion has been obtained. The council has no fixed dates of meeting but is summoned under the chairmanship of the Postmaster-General to consider specific questions on which their advice is desired. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the members. The reply to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREMay I ask the hon. Member whether he will consult with the Postmaster-General with a view to calling a special meeting of the Advisory Committee to examine the cause of the insufficient telephone service compared with other countries and suggest a scheme for a vigorous up-to-date policy?
§ Mr. BEAUMONTHas there been any resignation from the committee?