§ MR. JOHNSON-FERGUSON (Leicestershire, Loughborough)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that parcels sent by parcel post to many parts of Dumfriesshire are not delivered until the second day, and if Sunday intervenes the third day, after they are despatched; and whether the Post Office, considering the inconvenience caused to the inhabitants of these districts through the delay in the delivery of the parcel post, will reconsider the arrangements for its delivery.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HANBURY,) PrestonIt is understood that the hon. Member refers to the district served from Ecclefechan. The special night mail train is run at a high rate of speed and stops only at important junctions in order that the arrival at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the chief towns in Scotland may take place as early as possible. To stop at stations of less importance, such as Ecclefechan, would delay the mails for all places further north. The letter mail for Ecclefechan is therefore put out by means of the mail apparatus as the train passes the station, but the parcel mail cannot be so transferred, and has to be sent on by the first stopping train, which does not arrive before the rural postmen have been despatched. The number of parcels delayed is not large, and the Postmaster General regrets that no arrangement can be made for improving the service except at an expense considerably greater than he would be justified in incurring.