§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General (1) to what extent the problems confronting Cable and Wireless have now been overcome; why there is a shortage of staff in this Department; and what is being done to remedy these difficulties;
(2) to what extent business has been lost by Cable and Wireless through suspension and delays of letter cables; how many complaints he has received about this service, and from what sources; and whether he expects to recover all business lost through these delays.
§ Mr. BevinsThe main problem confronting the Post Office overseas telegraph service is a severe shortage of staff which is accentuated by substantial increases of overseas telegraph and telex traffic. I have recently improved the pay at the recruiting level, and recruits are now coming forward in much better numbers. These recruits are being given shortened training courses to bring them into service quickly. Some telegraphists have also been transferred temporarily from the inland service.
I am also pressing ahead with the mechanisation of the overseas telegraph and telex services and other measures designed to reduce the staff required and make the best use of those available. The full effect of all these measures will not be felt for some time, but already the service is improving and this trend should be progressive.
Suspension of the letter telegram service from 11th May to 6th June resulted in a reduction of about 8,000 telegrams daily. Since the restoration of the service two-thirds of this has been recovered and I am confident of regaining the balance as the service improves. I have 43W received numerous complaints about the suspension of letter telegrams mostly from business customers.