§ 24. Mr. N. Pannellasked the Postmaster-General the average loss per inland telegram in the years 1953–54, 1954–55, 1955–56, and 1956–57, respectively.
§ Mr. K. Thompson2s. 8d., 2s. 10d., 2s. 4d. and 3s. 7d.
§ Mr. PannellHas my lion. Friend taken note of the fact that, since the charge for inland telegrams was doubled in 1954, the number of inland telegrams sent has more than halved and the loss per telegram has increased? In view of this, will he recommend to his right hon. Friend that he should try the experiment 1126 of reducing the charge somewhat in order to increase the flow of traffic, to the benefit of Post Office finances and the general public?
§ Mr. ThompsonThe truth is that the number of telegrams sent has been in continuous decline since long before the war, and we have endeavoured to adjust our charges and our services so that the total loss is as small as possible.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsBut is not the hon. Gentleman aware that, when the last increase was put on, it was said from this side of the House that the increase would kill this service, and is not what the Government have done really to render the service even more uneconomic?
§ Mr. ThompsonThe truth of the matter is that, although the loss per telegram is still very great, the total loss to the Post Office of the service as a whole is considerably reduced.