§ 46. Mr. Fletcherasked the Postmaster-General why it takes fifteen minutes to obtain a reply when one dials INT for an international call on a Sunday morning.
§ Mr. BevinsA delay of fifteen minutes is quite exceptional, and I regret it. I am making inquiries to ascertain the reason for the delay and will communicate with the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. FletcherIs not the real reason why the Postmaster-General has not an adequate staff that he does not pay them properly? Will he please take steps to remedy this so that the public may have an adequate service?
§ Mr. BevinsNo. The hon. Gentleman is rather off the beam. In that particular exchange on that particular morning we had redundant staff. As regards pay and conditions, I have already referred in an earlier Answer to improvements which we have recently given.