§ 22. Mr. J. Hyndasked the Postmaster-General whether he will announce an early reduction in telephone charges.
§ Mr. BevinsNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HyndIn view of the fact that last year the Department issued a leaflet called Value for Money, asserting that telephone subscribers were getting their service at cost price, and as the telephone service has made a profit of £14 million this year, is it not time that the Postmaster-General withdrew that leaflet or reduced the charges?
§ Mr. BevinsI have forgotten the pamphlet to which the hon. Member refers. There are, however, two factors which make reductions impracticable at present. One is the need for much higher Post Office capital investment, and the other is the fact that Post Office surpluses are much less buoyant than they were.