§ 83. Mr. JOHN DAVISONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the discontent existing amongst the officials in charge of sub-post offices owing to the order to alter the hours of duty from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. till 8 p.m.; and whether he will consider the advisability of cancelling the order?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Illingworth)No instructions have been issued for the closing hour at these offices to be altered from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. As regards the hour of opening, I am prepared to authorise the district surveyor at his discretion to allow the later hour to stand at particular offices where he is satisfied that public inconvenience would not be occasioned thereby. But in localities where there is a demand for Post Office facilities at 8 a.m., I think it should be complied with. I may point out that, even with the earlier hour of opening, sub-post offices will still be open for shorter hours than before the War, when the hour of closing was 8 p.m.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWhat is to be the authority to decide the question of public convenience? Is it to be the town council of the county council? And will the right hon. Gentleman consult these bodies?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI am afraid I did not catch the earlier part of my hon. Friend's question.