§ 64. Mr. Shepherdasked the Postmaster-General which Post Office services show a loss on operation after making an allowance for the use of the services by Government Departments at the normal charges.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe main Post Office services which are used by Government Departments and on which losses are incurred are inland printed papers, inland money orders, overseas parcels, local telephone services and inland telegrams. The losses are arrived at after taking credit for the value of the services rendered to other Departments at the normal public rates, except for inland correspondence and money orders, where the credits represent actual costs.
§ 65. Mr. Shepherdasked the Postmaster-General what steps have been taken by his Department during the past 12 months to press for payment by Government Departments for Post Office services rendered to them.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsFor a full statement on this Question I would refer the hon. Member to the Departmental168W Replies to Reports from the Select Committee on Estimates, Session 1950 (H.C. 79 of 1950–51). The Post Office, after consultation with the Treasury, decided to continue the present arrangements for the time being and to reconsider the matter as regards inland telegraph and telephone services when the extra staff entailed can be justified.
§ 78. Mr. Redmayneasked the Post master-General whether the charges for postal services made against other Departments take accurate account of the number of postal packets despatched in any year by each Department.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsYes.
§ 79. Mr. Redmayneasked the Post master-General at what rate sealed postal packets, conforming to the normal regulations for 2½d. letter post, are taken into account against other Departments.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsCharges to Departments for inland correspondence taken as a whole are assessed at actual cost.