§ 43. Commander Nobleasked the Postmaster General before what time must a telegram be handed in to ensure delivery as a telegram that day.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe hours of telegraph business vary considerably between the large town office and the small country office. Wherever a telegram is handed in, if there is clearly a risk—after about 6 p.m.—that it may arrive too late at the distant office for delivery the same day, it is the practice to inform the sender that delivery may not be possible that day unless a telephonic address is used. Special efforts, however, are made to deliver telegrams of obvious urgency the same day, irrespective of the time of handing in.
§ Commander NobleWill the Minister make certain that officials can understand the position, because I have had cases of people who have paid for a telegram which has been delivered with the first post next morning?
§ Mr. PalingCertainly.
§ Sir Henry Morris-JonesCan the hon. Member explain why this Department, the Post Office, which was the only efficiently nationalised industry, has deteriorated so much under a Socialist Government?
§ Mr. PalingI do not agree that it has.