§ 1. Mr. Knox Cunninghamasked the Postmaster-General the sum of money outstanding in the first quarters of the two most recent half-yearly accounts rendered to telephone subscribers in the United Kingdom; and if he will give an estimate of the sum of money which would be saved in interest charges if such accounts were rendered quarterly instead of half-yearly.
§ The Postmaster-General (Dr. Charles Hill)About £12 million and an annual figure of something under £500,000 respectively.
§ Mr. Knox CunninghamWould my right hon. Friend, with that saving in mind, consider issuing these accounts quarterly instead of half-yearly?
§ Dr. HillNo. There would be a saving of £500,000. but there would also be an increased expenditure of £1½ million, with a net loss of £1 million.
§ Mr. Knox CunninghamWould my hon. Friend then consider why the public should have to subsidise the Post Office to this extent, while they pay their accounts to the gas and electricity undertakings quarterly, not half-yearly?
§ Dr. HillI do not regard this as a subsidy. There is a most substantial saving of staff of 1,300, and, as I have said, in money of £1 million by continuing this change, made in the war years, to half-yearly accountancy.
§ 2. Mr. Knox Cunninghamasked the Postmaster-General when he will return 1820 to the practice of rendering quarterly instead of half-yearly accounts to telephone subscribers.
§ Dr. HillWe have considered this on several occasions, but the large increase in staff and the additional annual expenditure estimated at £1 million, which it would involve, could not be justified at present. I cannot say when it will be possible.
§ Mr. Knox CunninghamDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that to many people it is a financial hardship to receive a large account every half year, and that they would prefer to pay quarterly?
§ Dr. HillI appreciate that a number of people have said that they would prefer quarterly accounts, but that must be balanced against the expenditure of £1 million and the employment of 1,300 men.