§ Mr. C. Johnsonasked the Postmaster-General how many vacancies exist in the London Overseas Telegraph Centre; and what proposals he has for overcoming the delay which now occurs in distributing telegrams received from abroad.
§ Mr. BevinsOn 1st November there were 330 vacancies at Electra House, the London Overseas Telegraph Station, in an operational establishment of 2,900. 400 recruits are now in training but the full training of overseas telegraph operators takes several months. I am very sorry that at periods of peak traffic pressure it is impossible to avoid some delay to telegrams received from overseas, but as the staff at Electra House increases in number and in experience there will, I hope, be steady improvement.
I am also sorry that the hon. Member had reason to complain about delay in the delivery of a telegram he had sent from Rome. The circumstances in that case were explained in a letter sent to the hon. Member by my hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General.