Telegrams

HC Deb 02 December 1968 vol 774 cc374-5W

Mr. Bryan

asked the Postmaster-General what percentage of telegrams originate in remote areas and are delivered to remote areas.

Mr. Stonehouse

Approximately 14 per cent. of telegrams are delivered to and from rural areas.

Mr. Bryan

asked the Postmaster-General what percentage of the cost of a telegram is represented by the delivery service, the line cost, the counter staff, the operators and overheads, respectively.

Mr. Stonehouse

The following is a percentage breakdown of the cost of an ordinary telegram:

			%
Acceptance	…	…	13
Transmission:
Operating	…	…	25
Line	…	…	2
Delivery	…	…	35
General Overheads	…	…	25
			100

Mr. Bryan

asked the Postmaster-General what percentage of telegrams originate from and are sent to telephone subscribers.

Mr. Stonehouse

52 per cent. of telegrams are originated by telephone, and 7 per cent. are delivered by telephone. No figures are available of the numbers originating from and sent to telephone subscribers.