Captain O'NEILLasked the Postmaster-General if he will state the regulations now in force for the date-stamping of letters at receiving offices, in view of the fact that letters are now frequently delivered without any date stamp on the back; and whether steps are taken to prevent this omission leading to irregularity and inconvenience in tracing any delay in the delivery of letters?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)It has been the practice for some years past, with the view of expediting the work, to omit the date-stamping of letters received for delivery by one post, generally the first, at a number of towns. The absence of the stamp indicates delivery by that post. This practice, having been found to work well, has recently been extended. I am not aware that this omission has led to irregularity or inconvenience in tracing any delay in the delivery of letters.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the dates stamped on the letters are sometimes so I smudged as to be absolutely illegible?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI think a great many improvements have been made in that respect in recent years.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe staff of the Post Office are well aware of the importance of stamping letters legibly.