§ 58. Mr. Liptonasked the Postmaster-General what action he is taking to reduce delays in the cable service.
§ Mr. BevinsThe delays on overseas telegrams result from a severe shortage of staff and an increase of traffic. To overcome the staff shortage I have recently improved pay at the recruiting level, and applicants are now coming forward in much better numbers. Special arrangements have been made to bring recruits into service quickly. Some telegraphists have also been transferred temporarily from the inland service to ease the position.
To employ staff to the best advantage all overseas circuits have recently been concentrated at Electra House, the main overseas telegraph centre in London. I am also pressing ahead with the mechanisation of the overseas telegraph and telex services. It may be some time before the full effect of these measures is felt, but the service is improving and I mean to see that this improvement should be progressive.