§ Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the Postmaster-General what action he proposes to take to implement the recommendations contained in the Report of the Advisory Committee on the Inland Telegraph Service, 1958.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonThe time has not yet come to take decisions about changes in the inland telegraph tariff on the lines suggested by the Committee. Meanwhile, I am exploring, in consultation with our staff interests, other possible ways of improving the financial position of the telegraph service. As recommended by the Committee, the range of deluxe greetings telegrams is being extended. A birthday telegram has just been introduced, and a baby greetings telegram will be introduced next month.
§ Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the Postmaster-General the figures for income and expenditure, number of telegrams and the loss per telegram in the Inland Telegraph Service during 1958–59.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonProvisional estimates are: income, £3.1 million; expenditure, £6.7 million. Number of telegrams 15.7 million. The loss on each telegram averages about 55 pence.