asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of the total annual receipts from telephone services since the end of the war comes from Government Departments.

For the last two completed financial years the estimated proportions were: 1945–6, 30.6 per cent.; 1946–7, 22.5 per cent.

In view of the great increase in proportion, as compared with before the war, may we take this as some measure of the strangling increase of controls?

No, Sir. The fact is that this was bound to go up during the war, and, since the war ended, it is going down.

Is My right hon. Friend aware that the cost of postal services to the Services is not included in the estimated cost given in the White Paper on Defence, and will he make representations to the Minister of Defence to see that this is prepared for the next occasion?