§ 17. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Postmaster-General the approximate increase in the number of telegrams despatched daily since the reduction of the charge from 1s. to 6d.; to what the increase will have to amount before the telegraph service is on a self-supporting basis; and whether the engagement of increased staff has been necessary?
§ Major TRYONFrom the information at present available it appears that the average increase in the number of inland telegrams despatched daily since the recent reduction in charges is rather more than 20 per cent. As my predecessor stated on the 29th April last, in reply to a question by the right hon. Member for Limehouse (Mr. Attlee), the reduction in charges is likely, at any rate for some further period, to increase the loss which has been sustained on the telegraph account for many years, but it was felt that it would be in the best interests of the community that telegraph charges should be reduced to a level comparable with those of other Post Office services. The increase in telegraph traffic has necessitated the engagement of some additional staff; but detailed information is not yet available.