HC Deb 31 January 1951 vol 483 cc873-4
5. Mr. John Rodgers

asked the Postmaster-General why his Department accepts telegrams for rural addresses not connected to the telephone and then delivers them by post the following day.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Anyone handing in a telegram in the late afternoon is warned of the possibility of non-delivery that day. The telegram is accepted on this understanding and is delivered by post only if it reaches the distant end too late for delivery by hand.

Mr. Rodgers

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that his Department does warn people that these telegrams will not be delivered if people are not on the telephone. I have evidence here that that is not so. Will the pre-war system of delivery be restored, and, if not, will the right hon. Gentleman see that instructions are issued that people are not charged 1s. 6d. for a message which could be delivered for 2½d.?

Mr. Ness Edwards

Adequate instructions have already been issued, but if the hon. Member knows of any case in which he believes these instructions have not been carried out, and will let me have the particulars, I will look into the matter. I have been pressed from both sides of the House to let sub-postmasters close offices much earlier and, on the other hand, to arrange for delivery of telegrams much later.

Mr. G. Williams

How many post offices or sub-post offices are there without facilities for delivering telegrams?

Mr. Ness Edwards

Most of them have facilities for delivering telegrams up to 6.30 p.m.