§ MR. DAVID THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)I beg to ask the Postmaster General if he is aware that residents in important towns on the main South Wales line of the Great Western Railway have, in order to be in time for the 8.30 London morning delivery, to post their letters at an earlier hour than residents in many English towns nearly double the mileage distance from the Metropolis; whether he is aware that about two years ago the then Postmaster General admitted the necessity of improved postal facilities for South Wales, and promised to consider the matter at the first favourable opportunity that presented itself; and whether any, and, if so, what steps are being taken to remedy the grave inconvenience under which the public in South Wales is suffering? I will also ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that letters from the South-West of England arriving at Bristol soon after 12 p.m. are forwarded in Gloucester, and do not reach Cardiff, a little over an hour from Bristol by the direct route, in time for the first morning delivery; and whether he will make arrangements for having these letters conveyed to Cardiff through the Severn Tunnel instead of round Gloucester?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. A. MORLEY,) Nottingham, E.I am aware of the circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend in these two questions. The delays are due to the fact that there are no trains on the South Wales system of railways which would enable better postal arrangements to be made. The expense involved in providing special trains would be so serious 622 that, although I am anxious to give effect to the wishes of the hon. Member, I do not see my way at the present time to press the subject on the Treasury.
§ MR. D. THOMASIs there no power to refer questions such as those to arbitration?
§ MR. A. MORLEYI do not think the arbitration powers apply in such a case as this.