Mr. STURROCKasked the Postmaster-General whether the economies at present being effected in Post Office administration are calculated to produce a substantial saving in superfluous expenditure; the estimated saving of such economies in the present financial year; and whether such saving is to be devoted to reductions in postal and telegraphic charges?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI regret it is not possible to analyse the savings which will be realised in the current financial year in such a way as to discriminate between specific economies and reductions in expenditure due to the drop in the cost of labour, material and transport. I may say, however, that the Post Office Estimates for 1923–24 show a reduction of £2,948,950 as compared with 1922–23, and £13,047,500 as compared with 1921–22, the Irish Free State being excluded in each case. I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to a reduction in charges.