Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that serious inconvenience is caused to the people of Middlesbrough owing to the fact that no telegrams can be despatched after 10 a.m. on Sundays, unless the sender is prepared to pay the cost of a trunk call to Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and, in view of the size and importance of the county borough of Middlesbrough and the district its post office serves, will he arrange for a better telegraphic service on Sundays in the coming financial year?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNThe hours during which the Middlesbrough office is now open for the despatch of telegrams on Sundays, namely, 9 to 10.30 a.m., are similar to those in force at most head post offices throughout the country. The number of telegrams telephoned to New castle-on-Tyne on Sundays outside those hours averages two only, and about one telegram per month is handed in at the sorting office between 3 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on payment of a late fee of 1s. From this it would appear that there is no public need for exceptional hours of attendance at the public counter.