HC Deb 15 October 1941 vol 374 cc1346-8
21. Mr. R. J. Taylor

asked the Postmaster-General the cost of a telegram to a soldier in the Middle East from his wife or relatives?

The Postmaster-General (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

Any member of the public may send a telegram to a soldier serving with the Middle East Force for a flat charge of 2s. 6d. The texts of telegrams sent by this service, which is conducted by Cable and Wirelelss, Limited, must be chosen from a list of standard phrases and one, two or a maximum of three phrases may be used in any one message. The registered next-of-kin may send a restricted number of telegrams on matters of urgent domestic importance at the inland telegraph rate of 1d. a word. Forms for this purpose may be obtained by the next-of-kin from the Army authorities. The normal public telegraph service may also be used. The rates are: ordinary telegrams, 11d. a word; deferred telegrams, 5½d. a word; night letter telegrams, 7s. 3½d. for 25 words or less.

Mr. Taylor

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Question was put down because a soldier's wife was asked 9s. 6d. for a telegram that could have gone under the special rate, and will he take steps to see that in all post offices the attention of soldiers' wives is drawn to this privileged form of telegram?

Mr. Morrison

Instructions have been issued that this privileged form of telegram shall be made well known to the public, and, indeed, great use is made of it by the public. If my hon. Friend can give me particulars of the case he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

Mr. Logan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at Liverpool telegrams have been handed in and the officials have said that they do not know whether the stations to which they were addressed were on the list; and that the telegrams have been returned after four weeks, the senders being told that the stations are not on the list? Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the officials have information as to where telegrams can be sent?

Mr. Morrison

I am aware that some telegrams have gone astray because they were insufficiently addressed. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of what he has in mind, I will look into them.

Mr. Logan

The question I asked was whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that at the head office in Liverpool they accepted telegrams when they did not know whether the addresses were on the list, and that at the end of four weeks the telegrams were returned and the senders informed that the addresses were not on the list? Will he see that at the head office in every town they have knowledge as to where telegrams can be sent?

Mr. Morrison

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars, I will take such steps as are necessary.

Squadron-Leader Hulbert

Does this concession apply to all His Majesty's Forces?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir.