§ 40. Mr. O'GRADYasked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to complaints of delays at the public counter of the Wakefield post office, and to the inadequacy of the staff provided there; whether several representations by 1065 the staff have been made urging the provision of relief, afterwards officially admitted to be necessary; and whether he has stated that he sees no objection to the action of the postmaster in censuring and threatening members of his staff in connection with the delays complained of?
§ Captain NORTONI am aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers. There had been complaints in the local Press that the public were not receiving proper attention at the post office counter at Wakefield; and the postmaster, after inquiry in the matter, was satisfied that the complaints were the result of want of thought or judgment on the part of the counter staff. He, therefore, issued a notice in which he informed the members of the staff that if they failed to apply for assistance at the counter, when necessary, they would be held responsible for the failure of duty; and he appealed to them to make a personal effort to prevent further delay. It is essential that the public should receive proper attention at the post office counter.
§ Mr. O'GRADYIs it not a fact that the staff at this particular office have over and over again applied for assistance upon the ground that they were overworked and have worked constant overtime?
§ Captain NORTONNo, I have no information to that effect, but I will make inquiries.