asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many firms in this country are now moving over to the use of metric Continental sizes for paper and envelopes; and whether, in view of the saving which could be achieved by the Post Office if there were greater uniformity in this field, he will take steps to encourage such change.

The answer to the first part of the Question is yes; the Post Office itself gave a lead in 1959 by introducing international sizes of paper for its general correspondence. As to the second part of the Question, I am currently considering how we can encourage the use of a standard range of envelope sizes lending itself to high-speed mechanical sorting.

Would the Postmaster-General bear in mind the amount of trade we are doing with Europe—E.F.T.A. and the E.E.C.? Is he aware also that the Federation of British Industries has come out in favour of metric sizes generally, and that if we induced this efficiency it might even help the right hon. Gentleman not to put up the cost of postage?

This was one of the first things about which I asked when I came to the Post Office. As the hon. Member says, the international implications are very important. In addition, there is the possibility, which he did not mention, that this might stimulate the export of British stationery.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that he continues consultations with those engaged in the trade to allow them the necessary time to make any change?

Yes, certainly, Sir.

asked the Postmaster-General when it is proposed to replace the existing Post Office sorting office at Yardley.

It is hoped that a new sorting office will be available by 1970.

How are the negotiations proceeding? Does my hon. Friend realise that Post Office workers at this office are working under extreme difficulties?

It is intended to move the public office, if satisfactory arrangements can be made for accommodation, to a new shopping centre now being developed. Negotiations with the developers are in progress, and, if these are successful, the new public office should be in service by 1967, and the enlargement of the district office which would follow should be completed by 1969 or 1970.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he will take to curb the sending of pornographic literature through the post.

asked the Postmaster-General how many complaints have been made to him regarding the sending of pornographic literature through the post since he took office.

With permission I will answer this Question and Question No. 38 together.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Do I understand that my hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General has excluded Question No. 44 from this reply? It is on the same subject.

I understand that the Assistant Postmaster-General is answering Question No. 38 with Question No. 11.

It is an offence to send indecent or obscene matter through the post; and any such matter coming under notice is stopped. The literature relating to the "Penthouse" magazine, to which many hon. Members have drawn my right hon. Friend's attention, was ruled by a court on 5th March to contravene Section 11 of the Post Office Act, and I do not therefore expect any more of it to be posted. My right hon. Friend has received about 250 complaints concerning pornographic literature in the post.

I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's reply, but will he bear in mind the concern on both sides of the House about this problem, bearing in mind that most of us do not want to see our young people corrupted? Will he watch the position very carefully in future?

Yes, Sir. But I must inform the House that my right hon. Friend has no power to search out and to open packets to find out whether or not they contain indecent or obscene matter, and I do not think that the House would wish him to have powers to exercise this form of censorship. There is nothing to stop people who receive such matter through the post from taking action themselves or through the police.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the very great offence caused by the "Penthouse" advertisements being sent to a very large number of responsible and respectable people? If similar matters are drawn to his attention, is he able to take any action or is it up to the public to deal with it direct with the police?

If we are faced with a situation like the one the hon. Gentleman has referred to, the information is immediately passed on to the Director of Public Prosecutions. This was done in the "Penthouse" case, when action was taken and a decision given.

Is my hon. Friend aware that opinions differ about what is or is not pornographic but that there is the more general issue of advertising which for one reason or another is not allowed on other media but which goes through the post? What is the Department's attitude to that?

I think that my hon. Friend must wait until I answer his Question No. 44.

Why did it take so long to jump on the organisers of the "Penthouse" advertising? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I, and other hon. Gentlemen, sent this advertisement to Ministers in December but that a prosecution was not lodged until March? Is it not possible for the Post Office to issue summonses as soon as hon. Members send information to Ministers?

I think that I have made clear the position of the Postmaster-General with regard to literature of this nature. On many occasions we are not aware that such stuff is going through the post. It is only when some of these packages happen to break open that we are able to discover any such material.

Is not the result of the "Penthouse" prosecution evidence that the law is effective and is working rather well?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Postmaster-General what action he is proposing to take to improve the postal service between Exeter and London, having regard to the complaints that have been made both to him and the head postmaster in Exeter.

I very much regret delay which has occurred in the post between Exeter and London. The main cause has been shortage of staff in some of our London offices. We are doing all we can to recruit additional staff; and meanwhile to keep delays to a minimum. I am glad to say that the service now is generally better than when the hon. Gentleman wrote to my right hon. Friend in November and December last.

I accept the hon. Gentleman's statement, but will he bear in mind that those dealing with export orders are concerned about this complaint and that it is very important that he should do all in his power to ensure that the service is of the highest possible standard?

I agree with the hon. Gentleman, and I am very much alive to the fact that an efficient postal service is vital to the well-being of industry and of the community at large. We are doing all we can to overcome staff shortages, but the recruitment of additional staff is not easy.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that a pay increase to the postmen, which I know is being urgently considered by the Postmaster-General, would substantially ease the problem of recruitment?

The postmen were given a provisional increase in pay last July and it was back-dated to the previous 1st January. A special research group is now carrying out a survey into the pay of postmen and I think that until this is completed it would be wrong for me to say anything more.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the delays that have taken place in recent months in respect of the delivery of letters from the Continent; and what action he is taking to improve this situation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the harm done to the export drive by the late delivery of letters from the Continent; and what action he is taking to speed up the delivery of mail from the Continent.

I am sorry that, during the earlier part of the winter, there was some delay in the delivery of letters from Europe. There has been an improvement lately which my right hon. Friend hopes to maintain. If either of the hon. Gentlemen has experience of recent delays and will let me have details we shall gladly look into the matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there have been delays of between seven and 10 days in some of these letters and that an examination of the postmarks tends to show that there is a build-up towards the end of the week in London, which is then released over the weekend? Will he see whether there is any unnecessary build-up towards the weekend?

We are prepared to look at anything which will improve the service. In general, mail from Germany has not been more liable to delay than from any other European countries. There is no reason why letters from Germany in particular should not be dealt with as expeditiously as those from other countries.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is general concern amongst those who have to communicate with Europe and that, among other bodies, the Foreign Press Association has received a number of complaints about it?

Yes, Sir. Last autumn, there was considerable delay to mail from the Continent, mainly due to staff shortages. Recently there have been material improvements in delivery times generally, but there are some places where staffing difficulties are still being experienced.

Is this not yet another example of the failure of a nationalised industry, which is providing worse service at increased cost? Can the hon. Gentleman answer that?

I am surprised to hear that supplementary question from the hon. Gentleman in view of his long period of service in the House and the number of answers to Questions during that period given by Ministers of this Department.

asked the Postmaster-General when he will be in a position to commence discussions with the Corporation of Glasgow regarding the choice of a site for the new headquarters for the Post Office Savings Bank.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) when he intends to commence discussions with the City Corporation on the siting of the Post Office Savings Bank in Glasgow;

asked the Postmaster-General what discussions he has now had with the local authority on the siting of the Post Office Savings Bank in Glasgow.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will now state the proposed location in Glasgow for the new headquarters of the Post Office Savings Bank.

With permission I will answer Question No. 17 together with Questions Nos. 74, 75, 76 and 77.

On a point of order. Would my right hon. Friend consider taking Question No. 43 with these as well?

There is no point of order for me. The Minister can decide for himself. I cannot do it for him.

My officials have begun talks with the Glasgow Corporation, and also with staff representatives, regarding the choice of an office site. There are several possibilities and they need careful consideration. I hope that a decision can be reached within a couple of months.

Would the right hon. Gentleman accept my congratulations as a Glasgow Member on the fact that from all accounts he has conducted these delicate and difficult negotiations with a skill and tact which we on this side of the House have not come to expect from members of Her Majesty's present Government? I appreciate that he cannot say anything more at this stage, but in general will he say whether he is satisfied with the progress made and with the co-operation he has received from other parties?

There are three points. One is the relations with the Glasgow officials, who have been extremely helpful. Staff representatives have been to see 10 possible sites and today there is a meeting between staff representatives and my officials on that subject. On the other side are the enormous human problems involved in a move of this kind. I have tried as best I can to make this my own personal concern in order to avert the possibility of any compulsory transfers. It will inevitably take some time, but I think that we can say that we are making some progress.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Glasgow Members expected that there would be a good relationship between the Government and the local authority on this matter? Is he aware that there is some disquiet about the suggestion that the transfer may be spread over as much as 10 years? While I appreciate what he has said about the personal issue, may I ask whether 10 years is in any way likely to be the sort of time required for the transfer?

I appreciate my hon. Friend's interest. However, it is not only the human problem. There are technical problems involved in moving the Savings Bank on to computers at the same time as it makes a physical move to Glasgow. We are hoping that with temporary buildings we shall be able next year to establish a small nucleus in Glasgow and within four or five years after that, when a site for a major building has been acquired, to operate on a bigger scale. It may be that 10 years for the whole change will be necessary.

Now that proceedings have safely reached their present stage, would my right hon. Friend agree that one of the sites which would prove admirable for the project in Glasgow would be a development area in the central part of the city? Does he agree that the whole project should now proceed with the minimum of delay?

I understand my hon. Friend's concern, but it would be wise to leave the staff representatives to negotiate this with our officials and to consider the alternatives offered by the Glasgow Corporation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that since the policy of dispersing Government jobs from London commenced, more than 30,000 transfers to various parts of England have taken place? Is he aware that in Scotland we hope that the smoothness which distinguished those will distinguish the Post Office transfer?

I appreciate what my hon, Friend said. One of the delightful things about this exercise has been the very warm welcome which, we know, awaits the Savings Bank in Glasgow.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to keep in close touch with his colleagues, especially the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, about this situation so that if and when the Bank's work is reorganised from Harrogate to Glasgow, possible alternative Government work will be available in Harrogate?

We recognise the special needs of those working in Harrogate and we are taking them into account.

asked the Postmaster General what he estimates would be the yield in a full year from raising the 3d post to 4d.

An increase in the inland letter rate from 3d. to 4d. would yield between £20 million and£25 million in a full year, depending on the adjustments made in the weight steps.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he told me on 23rd November that the 3d. post was already making a profit of £4,500,000? Is it not therefore clear from the figures he has just given that any further increase would not be justified? When will he finally make up his mind that he will not increase the rate from 3d. to 4d.?

There is another Question on the Order Paper, from the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne), about future policy. I have answered this Question.

Is not any further rise in the price of postage yet another example of the failure of nationalization—worse service at increased cost?

Compared with the 1½d. letter in 1939 a first-class letter would now cost 5d. if the cost compared with the increase in prices generally.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give particulars of manpower shortages and of the grades in his Department which are affected in England and in Wales, respectively.

Recruitment to basic grades employed in the Post Office is generally on a local basis and the position varies from town to town. In London and parts of the Midlands and Home Counties, where there is a general shortage of labour, there are shortages of postmen, telephonists, and technicians. In London there are also shortages of counter staff, overseas telegraph operators, typists and machine operators.

In view of what he has said, can the hon. Gentleman say whether he considers that staff shortages are the chief reason why I have received complaints from several parts of my constituency about very late postal deliveries and suggestions that postal deliveries in many villages in my constituency are now later than ever before? Can he explain this marked deterioration in the service of the Post Office?

If the hon. Gentleman has been inundated with complaints, as he suggests, perhaps he will let me have them and I will have them investigated. However, I must repeat that my information is that there is no staff shortage in Wales itself.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take action to cut the time taken for surface mail to reach Australia and New Zealand.

Yes, as far as possible. But the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the time taken by overseas mail to reach its destination is far from being wholly within my right hon. Friend's control.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, although the sea journey takes only about four weeks, the delivery of mail now takes 11 or 12 weeks and that last Christmas it took three months for the Christmas mail to be delivered? Will he have another look at this matter to see whether he can find a way of improving the service?

Yes, Sir. Perhaps it would be as well if I were to give the House some of the main causes for the type of delay to which the hon. Gentleman draws attention. The main causes which have led to deterioration in the quality of the sea mail services are, first, progressive reduction in the availability of fast passenger liners necessitating greater use of slower and more unreliable cargo vessels; secondly, longer intervals between sailings; thirdly, delays in the docks in this country and, to a lesser extent, delay on British Railways causing mail to miss scheduled outlets; fourthly, delay in clearance of mail from the ships and ports on arrival in a distant country, which shows that all the trouble is not at this end but at the other end as well; and, fifthly, occasional delays to ships en route owing to mechanical troubles.

asked the Postmaster-General what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the extension of commercial television and radio services.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for the introduction of a fourth television channel.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether it is his intention to allocate a fourth television channel to commercial television companies;

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the steps he is now taking to expand radio and television services, either commercial or non-commercial.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the extension of commercial television and radio services;

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider allocating the fourth channel to a public authority similar to the British Broadcast- ing Corporation with the same right to send advertisements as that given to independent television.

The Government are reviewing broadcasting policy in a variety of its aspects. The question whether further services of television and sound radio should be authorised, and if so, how they would be constituted, organised and financed, is one of the issues under examination. This review will inevitably take a considerable time to complete. The Government will announce their conclusions as soon as they have reached them.

Can my right hon. Friend give any indication of when the result will be announced? Is he aware, for instance, that the educational problems which have been left to the present Government are incapable of short-term solution unless and until we use the radio and television media to this end? Will my right hon. Friend bear that very much in mind when he is allocating new television or radio channels.

Yes, Sir. The need to find space for educational broadcasting is one of the reasons why the review will take some time.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the decline in the sale and distribution of the Radio Times, which gives information about radio news and services? Will he give a general direction to improve the standard and quality of the Radio Times so that it gives more information and has the widest circulation in order that people may have greater knowledge of what is done by radio and television?

My hon. Friend is raising a rather wider question. I am aware of this fact but it goes beyond the scope of this Question.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it is very questionable whether there is need for an additional channel to be provided in any case? There is far greater need, as has been indicated by my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton), for putting the resources of the country which at present are being developed in this field to much greater and better use in education, the hospital service and in technical advance generally without unnecessarily introducing further programmes of the kind we have at present until such time at least as the present services have been improved and we have been provided with these other things adequately.

Obviously the demand made upon our national resources by television programmes is one of the factors which we have to take into consideration.

When examining the question of a possible fourth channel, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the recommendations of the Pilkington Committee, which was set up by the previous Government, and ensure that the new channel, even should it be allowed to present commercial advertisements, is publicly owned?

All suggestions, including that one, will be welcome.

The right hon. Gentleman says that the review will take some time. Does he expect to make an announcement this Session?

I cannot say when a statement will be made. If it is to be a thorough-going review, I am sure that the House will not want it to be hurried beyond the capacity to settle these matters properly.

Will the review to which the Postmaster-General has referred take within its terms of reference the question of local radio sound services?

Yes, Sir; and there are several other Questions on this subject which are coming up shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory television reception in the Bideford area; and whether he will take the necessary action to improve the situation.

Yes, Sir. The B.B.C. tells me that its new low-power station at Barnstaple, which it hopes to complete at the beginning of next year, will improve reception in the Bideford area.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is the I.T.A. Westward transmitters which are at fault here, and in this area we do not always want to look at T.W.W. and Welsh programmes? Will he note also that there is not much point in starting a fourth channel until we can see the existing channels in all parts of the country?

The station at Barnstaple has been delayed because of the problem of finding a site from which to pick up a reliable signal either from the North Hessary Tor or from Wenvoe. A site has now been found from which a reliable signal can be picked up. Planning approval has been obtained, but completion of the station will not be possible before the beginning of next year.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will ensure that, before further money is allocated for the development of British Broadcasting Corporation television channels, a reasonable standard of reception will be provided to existing licence holders.

On an overall appraisal, an acceptable standard of reception is already generally available to the 99 per cent. of the population within the coverage of B.B.C. 1.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that the only time when we can see television in parts of Swaledale and Wensleydale is when it is foggy? Can he explain why this is? Further, as the B.B.C. has surveyed the area and agreed that it is necessary to put a booster station there, will he urge the Corporation to get on with the work?

The B.B.C., at my suggestion, is considering another stage in its process of extension of coverage, and it is aware of the problems in the hon. Gentleman's constituency. But increased Continental interference and the effect of hills, apart from fog, for which I am not responsible, has made reception difficult.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to enable him, in those areas where television and radio reception is below a reasonable standard, to reduce the price of television and radio licences.

asked the Postmaster-General if, after consulting the television and radio authorities, he will ensure that licence holders are guaranteed a satisfactory standard of reception, and that, where such reception is not possible, a suitable deduction is made in the licence fee.

No, Sir. It would be impracticable to vary licence fees according to reception conditions which may vary not only from place to place, but also from time to time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman urge the B.B.C. not to spend a lot of money on B.B.C. 2 until we have the necessary booster stations? In the sparsely populated areas, where there is no other type of entertainment, it is essential to have reasonable television reception.

B.B.C. coverage of over 99 per cent. of the population is, at this stage, as much as is practicable. Beyond this, even the latest stages of development involve£10 per viewer for transmitter costs alone as compared with Is. per viewer for the more populous areas. It would not be altogether fair to hold up the development of B.B.C. 2, which right hon. Gentlemen opposite announced, until these very difficult and, in some cases, almost intractable problems in the isolated areas can be dealt with.

My right hon. Friend will be aware that the building of multistorey flats has aggravated the problem of poor reception. In my constituency, for instance, tenants in Carron Street Heights, a block of multi-storey flats constructed by the Scottish Special Housing Association, far from having any relief have to pay an extra£3 18s. a year for sharing a communal aerial in order to ensure fair reception. Does not my right hon. Friend agree that this is unfair, and will he look into the question?

If my hon. Friend has a particular point of that kind, perhaps he will write to me about it.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement on the degree of priority which the Post Office intends to give to the improvement or introduction of television and radio services to those areas which at present either have very poor reception or none.

The extension of the coverage attained by, and the improvement of the reception of, the broadcasting services is a matter for the broadcasting authorities in the first place. On 22nd December I announced that I had approved Stage 4 of the B.B.C.'s plan to this end, and that the Corporation was now—at my suggestion—considering a further stage.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the B.B.C. is actively considering Stage 5? Can he give an assurance that he will co-operate with it in coming to a decision about this as quickly as possible?

Certainly. As I mentioned in answer to an earlier Question, the cost of transmitters alone is£10 per viewer on Stage 4 and this will rise progressively with later stages. But it is a matter of concern.

asked the Postmaster General if he will give a direction, under Section 14 (4) of the Licence and Agreement, to the British Broadcasting Corporation not to send broadcasts in which matters under controversy are presented in such a way as to allow only one side of the argument to be heard.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to require the television authorities to consult representatives of interested industries with a view to avoiding biased presentation in programmes concerning those industries.

The B.B.C. governors and members of the I.T.A. have a duty to deal impartially with controversial issues.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that at Question Time on 19th January the Chancellor of the Exchequer made various remarks critical of building societies and of the Building Societies Association and that a report of these proceedings was given in three separate news items later that day? Although the Building Societies Association has made a reply to the points raised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, no reference was made to this by the B.B.C. In the circumstances, will the Postmaster-General look into the matter?

With great respect, it would be difficult and wrong for a political Minister to consider the balance of news items put out by either the B.B.C. or the I.T.A. These authorities try, over a period of time—it cannot always be done in every broadcast—to balance different views, but they are bound to take into account newsworthiness on any particular day. In comparison with the difficulties which do arise from time to time, the difficulties of political interference in an issue of this kind would be infinitely greater.

I accept much of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, but will he agree that the very fact that this matter has been aired in the House will get back to the B.B.C. and may have some effect?

Certainly, Sir. Every letter written to me by an hon. Member dealing with matters of this kind is conveyed by me without comment to the B.B.C. or the I.T.A. The boards of governors of the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. have told me that they make a regular practice of studying Questions in the House, and there are other ways open to hon. Members directly, to bring these matters forward.

Will my right hon. Friend take into account that all these impartial chairman are on the Conservative side and it would not be a bad thing if the balance were rectified a bit?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to authorise the setting up of a local broadcasting station in the County of Norfolk.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take measures to see that the City of Worcester is provided with a local broadcasting station.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to authorise the setting up of a local broadcasting station in Norfolk or Suffolk.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take measures to authorise the setting up of a local broadcasting station in Blackpool.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for setting up local broadcasting stations; and whether he will now authorise the British Broadcasting Corporation to establish local sound radio stations.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his plans for local broadcasting in the Greater Manchester area envisage the setting up of a broadcasting station to be run by the local authorities and Manchester University.

As I said in Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Francis Noel-Baker) on 5th March, the Governent are considering the general question whether local sound broadcasting should be introduced into the United Kingdom. Until this general question has been decided it will not be possible to evaluate the claims of particular localities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the continuous success of Radio Caroline has already provided abundant evidence of public demand for independent radio services—independent of the B.B.C. monopoly—and that any delay in granting a licence for such stations would be both retrograde and dogmatic?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, these pirates are interfering with or stealing wavelengths with reception on the Continent. They are a danger to shipping—we have evidence of that. They are also stealing copyrights of all records they broadcast and stealing the work of those who have made the records and the legitimate business claims of those who manufacture them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in Worcester, commentaries on county cricket and football matches are already given to all local hospitals? Is it not ridiculous that one should have to go into hospital to hear a commentary on a local cricket match?

I should like to examine that service but I imagine that it is by closed circuit and not broadcast.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the fact that he and the Government are considering this matter will give considerable satisfaction? However, in view of the prevarication on this matter, especially by the last Administration, is he aware that it ought not to be left in the air, as it were? Will he give a further undertaking that any consideration of local sound broadcasting will be given to the B.B.C.? Will he give an assurance that there will be no commercial side? Can he give any indication of how long the review will take?

There are all sorts of possibilities and it would be wrong to anticipate the findings of the review.

In view of what my right hon. Friend has said about Radio Caroline, does he intend to do anything about it? Why cannot he tow her in and then have an Act of Indemnity, if necessary?

As my hon. and learned, and gallant Friend knows, the Government have recently signed a convention about Radio Caroline, and so on, at the Council of Europe, and legislation is in preparation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any instances of the danger to shipping which he has mentioned?

I will write to the hon. and learned Gentleman and give them to him, or give them to the House if a Question is put down.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the need to proceed as quickly as possible in this matter and to have special regard to the claims of local authorities and universities and to exclude those who are interested in local broadcasting only for the purpose of private profit seeking?

As my hon. Friend knows very well, broadcasting policy is a minefield of special interests. There are all sorts of people, like universities, who hitherto to have not had the chance to show what they can do.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will look at this matter perfectly fairly from every point of view in order to provide the best choice possible for the people who listen to the radio?

We certainly shall be and are ready to receive suggestions from all quarters. May I congratulate the right hon. and learned Gentleman on his maiden appearance at the Box? I think that he is the third shadow Postmaster-General since the election.

asked the Postmaster-General what further consideration he has given to prohibiting cigarette advertisements on independent television; and if he will consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the financial implications of such a step.

As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Francis Noel-Baker) on 2nd March, cigarette advertising on television is to stop on the 1st August of this year. In reaching this decision the Government naturally took into account all the relevant implications.

Under what powers was the decision made? Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to leave the powers as they are or to extend them to include other forms of advertising?

The powers under which this direction was given were conferred by the Television Act. As the House knows, the advertising of quite a number of things is prohibited under this Act—for example, moneylenders, matrimonial agencies, fortune tellers, undertakers, betting, the visual presentation of doctors, dentists, midwives and nurses, and cures for alcoholism, baldness and various other products.

As we understand that the prohibition of the advertising of cigarettes on television is in the interests of the health of the nation, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the advertising of many other things should be prohibited? For example, why does he not prohibit the advertising of sweets and sugar, because sugar is one of the main contributory causes of circulatory disease? Is there not an equal case for prohibiting the advertising of many other things apart from cigarettes?

I suppose that anything, even water, taken to excess, is fatal, but it is undoubtedly true, as the House knows very well, that the link between lung cancer and smoking has been established to the satisfaction of the medical profession, which welcomed this ban. I think teat this ban is well justified by the medical evidence.

Questions to the Prime Minister.

On a point of order. Is it possible for you, Mr. Speaker, to allow the Postmaster-General—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—I am asking a question. Would it be possible, under the rules of order, for you, Mr. Speaker, to allow the Postmaster-General to answer Question No. 35 to which he referred in reply to Question No. 18, saying that he would make a statement later?

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate my difficulty. A number of Questions appear on the Order Paper, and we do not get through all of them, I am afraid. It is therefore difficult to make exceptions or invite exceptions to be made.

Further to that point of order. May we know whether the Postmaster-General has asked your permission, Mr. Speaker, to answer this vital Question at the end of Question Time?

No, he has not. Let us get on.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will include Mallaig in the call area of the Small Isles.

No, Sir. As I have explained to the hon. Member in correspondence, the call charges from the Small Isles are determined on the same principles as call charges elsewhere in the system.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the fact that all calls have to go from the Small Isles through Mallaig should be considered, because the cost of calls directly to Mallaig is more expensive than those between the Small Isles? Surely this is illogical and does not take proper account of social factors.

The hon. Gentleman knows that this is a complicated question, because we have corresponded about it and discussed it, and I promised that I would give it sympathetic consideration, which I have done. The cost of calls between Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna and Mallaig were all reduced in 1958, but the routing of the call cannot be a factor in deciding the charge, for within the telephone system calls sometimes take quite roundabout routes in order to meet the operational needs of the service. I do not think it possible to go beyond the concessions made in 1958, when very substantial reductions were effected.