asked the Postmaster-General if he intends taking steps to improve the postal services with a view to securing daily deliveries of British mail to Co-operative Creameries, and whether he would consider extending telephonic communication so that these creameries may be in a position to compete with foreign rivals and secure sales in the British markets; further, whether, when broadcasting concessions are being granted, the interests of the farming community in regard to weather and market reports to creameries which may instal wireless receiving sets will be taken into account.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - IMPROVING POSTAL SERVICES.
As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware, the Department has lately been reviewing the postal services in rural areas with the object of reducing, by restriction of the frequency of delivery, the heavy loss to revenue which such services involve Each case is considered on its merits, and creameries located on posts on which a week-day delivery is justified by the amount of correspondence continue to enjoy that service. The policy of the Department is to afford not more than one delivery per day in a rural district, but in any case in which the majority of the residents so desire the commencement of the delivery could be postponed until after the arrival of the day mail, which includes cross-Channel correspondence.
Certain proposals concerning the charges for telephone service in rural districts have been referred to the Ministry of Finance. If the proposals are adopted it will be possible to extend the telephone system in certain areas, but each case must, of course, be considered on its merits.
It is proposed to allow the projected Irish Broadcasting Company to broadcast market reports, and the Company will be required to transmit weather reports issued by the Government.