Mr. Vaneasked the Assistant Postmaster-General what proportion of his Department's receipts from all sources derive from business originating in Government offices, both central and local; and whether all such business is paid for or credited at the same rates as are applicable to private persons or firms.
§ Mr. GammansThe income in respect of postal and telecommunication services rendered to other central Government Departments represented in 1952–53 about 8 per cent. of the total Post Office income. A further 8 per cent. of the total was in respect of agency services (savings bank, national insurance, etc.). In general, the charges for postal and agency services exclude profit, but telecommunication services are paid for or credited at full public rates. Local authorities pay for services in precisely the same way as private persons or firms and no distinctive accounts are, therefore, kept.