§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)asked the Postmaster General, Whether his attention has been called to the case of Sidney Thomas Howell, son of Mr. Thomas Betterton Howell, butcher, Paddington, who lost his life on Saturday, 2nd July, through being run down by a parcels post van; whether it is true, as stated in the London Echo on 8th July, that the driver of the van "worked 19 hours a day;" if so, whether it is the general practice for the drivers of parcels vans to be so long upon duty; and, whether, in the interests of the public safety, he will take such steps as will bring the working hours of those men within more reasonable limits?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)The case has not been brought to my attention; but I will cause inquiries to be made into it. I hope it is not true that any parcels post van driver works 19 hours a day. With regard to the hours of labour of the drivers of mail carts, I may explain to the hon. Member that they are not in the employment of the Post Office, but of the contractors for the mail cart services, with whom I have no power to interfere.
§ MR. FENWICKWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to make inquiries as to whether this is true or not?
§ MR. RAIKESI have no power to interfere with the contractor in whose employ the men are.
§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)But supposing the statement to be true, will the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that when the present contract expires he will consider the propriety of giving it to a contractor who does not work his men 19 hours a day?
§ MR. RAIKESI cannot give any assurance as to a contract which will only lapse after a considerable period of time. I appreciate the importance of the matter.