§ 70. Mr. BASIL PETOasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that since 1917 there has been no outward mail service from North Devon; and whether, in view of the fact that the Sunday trains have now been restored on the lines connecting Bideford, Torrington, Ilfracombe, and Barnstaple, he will apply to the Southern Railway for the restoration of the service between Barnstaple and Yeoford Junction, so that the postal facilities enjoyed previous to the War may now be restored?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)I assume that my hon. Friend's question refers to Sundays. I have not received any representations in the matter recently. I do not think I should be justified in asking the Southern Railway to incur the heavy expense which would be involved in open- 1530 ing the line between Barnstaple and Yeoford Junction, but I will write to my hon. Friend after further inquiry.
§ Mr. PETOWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that visitors from all parts of the country and business men frequent Ilfracombe and other seaside resorts in North Devon during the summer; and that it is extremely inconvenient that they should be cut off entirely from the rest of the country on Sundays?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI will certainly bear that in mind, but my hon. Friend will equally appreciate the very considerable expense involved in any special arrangement.