§ MR. ROE (Derby)asked the Post-master General, If there is any reason why rural letter carriers should not have the same privilege on Bank Holidays that is now given them on Good Fridays, Christmas Days, and was granted them on the Jubilee Day?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)In reply to the Question of the hon. Member, I beg to state that there is a wide distinction between an ordinary Bank Holiday and the holidays of Good Fri- 1166 day and Christmas Day. The latter two days are—at any rate in England and Wales—universally observed as close holidays; but that is not by any means the case with other Bank Holidays, especially in the rural districts. While I am at all times ready to consider any practicable relaxation of the postman's duty, I cannot shut my eyes to the probability that any arrangement by which the privilege of an afternoon collection of letters would be withdrawn, if rural postmen were allowed to omit such collection on a Bank Holiday, would give rise to widespread complaint and occasion a great deal of public inconvenience.