§ 41 and 42. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Postmaster-General (1) whether lie is aware that, whereas other neighbouring villages have been provided with a second daily despatch and delivery of letters free of charge, the village of Bowerchalke, in the county of Wilts, has been refused such conveniences which are required by every section of the village community, and especially in connection with the watercress industry, unless a guarantee of £38 or, alternatively, in the event of the delivery being limited to the houses situate in the village en route from Salisbury to the village post office, a guarantee of £18, be forthcoming; if so, whether, in view of the inability of the village, owing to the entire lack of well-to-do residents, to undertake so large a financial obligation and of the handicap suffered by local trade and industry through lack of such postal facilities, he will consent to provide them, as in other cases, free of charge; and (2) what was the objection of his Department to the adoption of the suggestion of the village postman at Bowerchalke, in the county of Wilts, who is an auxiliary, that he 1603 should undertake the proposed additional delivery in the village for the sum of six shillings per week, a bicycle being provided by his Department for the purpose?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am having inquiry made into the matters referred to and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.