§ 74. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Postmaster-General (1) how the increased price of telegrams has increased redundancy in the Telegraph Department to date; what representations he has received on the subject from staff associations; and how he has dealt with such representations;
(2) how the number of telegrams and the amount of money received for them since the increased charges were put in force compare with the corresponding period in the previous year in Scotland, England and Wales, respectively.
§ Mr. BevinsThe last increase in the charge for inland public telegrams was made in August, 1954. The traffic has continued to decline since then, and the staff has been reduced. Staff redundancy has been handled in co-operation with the Staff Associations, and there is no serious problem at present. The details sought of revenue and traffic are not available, but the total revenue from inland public telegrams in 1954–55 was £41 million, compared with £3.2 million in 1960–61. The number of telegrams sent in 1954–55 was 25.7 million, and was 13.5 million in 1960–61.