HC Deb 21 May 1940 vol 361 cc36-7W
Mr. Palmer

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is to be any change in the charges for telegrams to Eire as part of the general Budget increases in telegraph charges?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

There will be no change in the charges for ordinary telegrams and night telegraph letters to Eire, and I regret that the position in regard to night telegraph letters was incorrectly shown in the Financial Statement. In both cases the charges are already higher than the corresponding new charges in the inland telegraph service. The charge per page of Press telegram to Eire is at present the same as that for an inland Press telegram. Both will be increased by 3d. Full particulars of these charges are shown in the following table:

districts the operation of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932, is delaying the erection of buildings for supervisors and foremen considered necessary by landowners and occupiers for the successful prosecution of the present intensive agricultural production plan; and whether, in view of the fact that Government hutments are being erected without reference to the terms of this Statute, he will take steps to suspend the Town and Country Planning Act for the duration of the war?

Mr. M. MacDonald

My hon. and gallant Friend has brought to my notice a case where a planning authority have refused permission under an interim development order for the erection of a particular building, and I have pointed out to him the right of the applicant to appeal to me against that decision. I have no reason whatever to suppose that the operations of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932, are any hindrance in the campaign to grow more food, especially as there is specific exemption in that Act for buildings occupied together with agricultural land. With reference to the last part of the Question, as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, although Government buildings are not subject to planning control they are being erected with due regard to planning interests so far as possible, and I cannot see that the fact that the Act does not bind the Crown is any argument for suspending its general operation during the war.