§ 60. Mr. POTTERasked the Postmaster-General if he can give an estimate of the cost of restoration of the shilling telegram on Sunday; and whether he is aware that the Sunday telegram now involves an extra payment of threepence when sent over the telephone in addition to the extra sixpence at present charged?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Ernest Bennett)The estimated cost of restoration of the shilling telegram on Sunday is approximately £5,000 a year. The telephone fee is one penny if the telegram is dictated over a subscriber's rented line, or twopence if it is dictated over a public call office circuit.
§ Mrs. COPELANDIs the hon. Member aware that, in spite of the extra charge for telegrams on Sunday, these telegrams can only be sent between the hours of 9 and 11 in the morning, and that there is no guarantee that a telegram sent off by 9.30 on Sunday morning will reach its destination before the Monday?
§ Sir E BENNETTThe question of the abolition of the surcharge on Sunday telegrams and other points connected with it are under consideration at the present time.