§ MR. HOYLE (Lancashire, S.E., Heywood)asked the Postmaster General, If his attention has been called to a letter from Mr. Felix Joseph, which appeared in The Times of 19th November, 1887; and, if so, whether, in the public interest, he will consider the advisability of 151 rescinding an Order which prevents the re-direction by Postmasters of letters addressed to hotels when visitors have removed to some other address in the same town?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)I saw the letter in The Times to which the hon. Member refers. I should first explain that official re-direction is in no way obligatory on the Post Office, although, in the large majority of cases, it is undertaken for a reasonable time. There is no such actual prohibition as the hon. Member refers to; but it has been found that in the case of hotels—especially in large places—a general compliance would involve very considerable labour, and even then might, in many cases, not be satisfactory. It is a matter, therefore, in which Postmasters have been allowed to exercise a discretion; but I am engaged in further considering whether any change of practice can be conveniently introduced.