HC Deb 19 December 1934 vol 296 cc1142-3
39. Mr. NEIL MACLEAN

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the fact that he has extended the cheap night rates for Christmas from 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve to 2 p.m. on Christmas Day to enable the public to exchange Christmas greetings by telephone, that the cheap facilities for the New Year are only to midnight on 31st December, and that normal rates will be charged on New Year's Day, whether the normal rates mean that the night rate will operate from 12 midnight until 5 a.m. on New Year's morning; and, if not, whether he will consider continuing that rate during those hours to give subscribers in Scotland a similar opportunity of exchanging greetings with their friends on the day which at that period is observed generally by Scottish people?

Sir K. WOOD

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the second part does not therefore arise.

Mr. MACLEAN

The first part of the question refers to Christmas Day and the second part to New Year's Day in Scotland—two separate days. I am asking the right hon. Gentleman whether the night rate will operate from 12 midnight until 5 a.m. on New Year's morning to give Scottish subscribers facilities similar to those which are to be available at Christmas, and I want an answer to that part of the question to allay public feeling in Scotland?

Halifax County Borough. Huddersfield County Borough. Bradford County Borough.
Per 1,000 Live Births. Per 1,000 Total (Live and Still) Births. Per 1,000 Live Births. Per 1,000 Total (Live and Still) Births. Per 1,000 Live Births. Per 1,000 Total (Live and Still) Births
1931 3.21 3.10 4.99 4.73 4.91 4.68
1932 9.25 8.75 5.19 4.88 5.97 5.69
1933 10.94 10.28 9.24 8.81 4.87 4.65
Average 1924 to1933 7.19 5.73 5.35
N.B.—During the decennium1924–1933, the basis of maternal mortality rates was changed from live births alone to the total of live and still births. As figures for the earlier years of the decennium are available on the original basis only the ten years' averages have been calculated upon that basis; and for purposes of comparison the figures for the last three separate years are given upon both bases.