Lieutenant-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Postmaster-General who is responsible for authorising the priority use of the telegraphic and telephone services by Government Departments; what limitations are imposed upon such use; and if, having regard to the urgent need of the mercantile and commercial communities to secure the free use of these services in the effort to re-establish the industrial position of the country, he will take steps to restrict such Government priority within the narrowest possible limits?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHPriority for telegrams and telephone calls on urgent Government business is a practice of long standing. After the outbreak of war the demand from Government Departments for priority facilities greatly increased, and it was then hardly practicable for the Post Office to check such demands. Since the termination of hostilities, the matter has been receiving constant attention and already various steps have been taken to restrict Government priority and so improve the service afforded to the public. I am continuing to seek the co-operation of the various Departments in limiting the number of telegrams and telephone calls for which priority is demanded, and I hope that before long the number will be greatly reduced.