asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the adoption of distinctive air-post stamps for letters despatched by air mail from Great Britain; and whether any decision has been arrived at in this matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Macclesfield Division (Mr. Remer) on 12th November. I have considered the adoption of a distinctive air-mail stamp, and in view of the inherent objections I have decided against its introduction.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say how it is that the Dominions are able to adopt an air mail stamp, and why it is not possible in this country?

The hon. Member is mistaken; not all the Dominions have adopted the air mail stamp, and the reports which we have investigated do not encourage us to repeat the experiment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the cost of postage on paper used by blind persons for writing in Braille and of the poor circumstances of the majority of blind persons, he will consider the introduction of legislation to amend the Post Office Act in order to enable this paper to be carried by parcel post at a special rate corresponding to the special rate now charged for paper already impressed with Braille type?

I regret that I cannot see my way to introduce legislation on the lines suggested.

Will the hon. Member receive representations on this subject from those interested in the blind?

We have received representations from the National Institute, and I should be very glad to consider any further suggestions that they may make.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is continuing the policy announced in the last Budget of increasing telephone facilities in rural areas; and how many new public call-offices have been established in villages and at rural railway stations in Devonshire since that date, and how many he expects to establish in the next six months?

An active policy of increasing telephone facilities in rural areas is being followed. Since April last, 76 call offices have been opened at post offices and railway stations in Devonshire, and 34 more have been authorised but not yet opened. Other cases are under consideration.

How many rural exchanges have been opened?

I am afraid I could not give a reply with regard to rural exchanges without notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a petition from a number of in- dustrial establishments in West Drayton and Yiewsley asking that names of telephone subscribers in that area be included in the London Telephone Directory; and whether, in view of the fact that names of subscribers in places further from the centre of London than West Drayton are already so included, he will take steps to have subscribers in that area included in future editions of the London Telephone Directory?

The petition has been received and a reply sent. It is imperative that entries in the London-Telephone Directory—which is already unduly large—ishould be strictly confined to subscribers who are in the London area; and I regret that it is impracticable to make exceptions.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary not realise that firms-whose names are in the London Telephone Directory have a considerable advantage over similar firms whose names are not in the Directory, and will he consider the advisability, in order to-reduce the bulk of the Telephone Directory, of issuing a toll directory to include all toll numbers?

I should be glad to consider that suggestion, but I have not yet any ideas of my own upon it. With regard to the suggestion that firms nearer London have an advantage because their names are in the London Telephone Directory, I may explain that the London area is not taken by making a circle around a certain place, but is plotted out according to certain technical and administrative considerations.

Does the hon. Member realise that the great number of entries in the Telephone Directory causes great inconvenience owing to the smallness of the type?

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advancing years of telephone subscribers, and issue a microscope with every Telephone Directory?