HC Deb 15 December 1908 vol 198 cc1581-3
MR. WATT

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the morning letters of the Moore Street Meat Market in Glasgow are not delivered until 8.30 to 8.50 a.m., while the letters for firms on the other side of the street are delivered between 7.30 and 8 o'clock; whether he is aware that business is done in that market amounting to about two and a half millions sterling per annum; that a large part of that business is for instant despatch to catch morning trains before ten o'clock; that the delay of his Department hampers and inconveniences the conduct of this trade; and, if so, will he take steps to expedite this delivery of letters.

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, Poplar

Under normal conditions the morning delivery of letters in the Moore Street Meat Market, Glasgow, should be effected before 8.0 a.m. It seems possible that the employment of a postman who was new to the duty has resulted in a somewhat later delivery recently, but no complaints have reached either the postmaster of Glasgow or myself. Arrangements are being made to ensure delivery at the proper time.

MR. WATT

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if his Department, earlier than 1906, offered to the Moore Street Meat Market in Glasgow to deliver their morning letters between 7.30 and 8 o'clock instead of one hour later than that if they would agree to pay 8s. per week for such service; and, if so, will he say whether his Department still insists that that sum should be forthcoming before it will give the market proper facilities for carrying on their business.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

In December, 1905, the Glasgow Wholesale Meat Traders' Association were informed that a special early delivery of their correspondence could not be afforded except under the conditions of the Express Delivery Service. It was estimated on the basis of the average amount of correspondence received at that time that the fees for the Express Service would amount in all to about £20 a year. As I have already stated in my reply to another Question of the hon. Member's, the delivery in the Moore Street Meat Market is effected by 8 a.m., and I fear it will not be practicable to afford an earlier delivery unless the firms concerned elect to make use of the Express Delivery Service.