§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that newspapers, posted in Fleet Street and other parts of the E.C. Postal District at three p.m. on Saturdays, are not delivered in Kensington and other places within a three mile radius until eight a.m. on the following Monday; whether he is aware that this delay is caused by the insufficiency of the sorting staff and the want of space in the E.C. District Office; and whether, considering the great inconvenience to the public by delay, and the important revenue derived by the Postal Department from the distribution of newspapers from this centre, he will provide a sufficient staff and a suitable building for the expedition of the business of the E.C. Postal District?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.The omission complained of is exceptional and not regular. Newspapers posted up to 4.45 p.m. in minor offices, and up to 5.30 p.m. in larger Branch Offices, are in time for delivery on the same evening. There has been some unusual pressure lately in the East Central Office on account of numerous vacancies among sorters, but that is in course of remedy.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Office is not at all suitable for the business to be done there?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI am aware of that; it is about to be enlarged.