HC Deb 15 March 1944 vol 398 cc259-60W
Sir W. Smithers

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give the names of Government Departments, organisations or persons who are allowed free postage, telegrams or telephone service.

Captain Crookshank

At present no Government Departments, except those financed from Grants-in-Aid or self-supporting funds, pay cash for their postage, inland telegram, or inland telephone services. The estimated value of these services afforded to Government Depart- ments is debited against them by the Post Office, but actual payment for telegrams and telephones was the normal practice until the present financial year when much inter-departmental cash accounting was suspended as a war economy measure. The arrangement covers a number of free telephone lines at the residences of certain officials, the relative Department assuming responsibility for the authorisation of the lines provided and for official calls made over these lines. No private persons or organisations are entitled to free postal, telegraph, or telephone service.