§ Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Postmaster-General (1) what additional annual expenditure would be involved by restoring the Sunday postal arrangements to those which existed in Eastbourne before the recent alteration; and (2) whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction which has arisen, and the complaints made by schoolmasters, doctors, and those engaged in business in regard to the reduction in the hours of; service in the Eastbourne post-office on Sundays; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to remove such complaints?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI will answer the hon. Member's two questions together. A reversion to the arrangements in force at the Eastbourne post-office on Sundays before the recent alteration would cost about £70 a year for staff. Various complaints have been made concerning the reduction in the hours of service on Sundays, but, as I have already stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member on 7th February, the amount of 1076 business transacted was not sufficient to justify the exceptional hours of attendance which formerly obtained.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEMay I ask, in view of the facilities granted in other towns, if we are not entitled to postal arrangements on Sunday similar to those which we have enjoyed until now?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELEastbourne is merely put on the same footing as other towns of similar status throughout the country. No powers of opening on Sundays in Eastbourne were exceptional.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEIs it not a fact that there are other towns smaller than Eastbourne which have much greater facilities?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere are one or two still left. They are all gradually being brought into line.