HC Deb 13 July 1927 vol 208 cc2127-8
27. Mr. MACKENZIE LIVINGSTONE

asked the Postmaster-General what progress is now being made in the direction of restoring the daily mail service throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland?

The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Viscount Wolmer)

I am afraid that I cannot hold out any immediate hope of a daily postal service at every place in Scotland. The facilities in each locality are on as liberal a scale as is justified by consideration of cost and volume of correspondence. As I explained to the hon. Member in answer to his question of 19th May, I shall be glad to consider any particular case he has in mind.

Mr. LIVINGSTONE

Will the Noble Lord inform the House when he expects to get back to the pre-War standard of postal facilities in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland?

Sir ROBERT HAMILTON

Does the Noble Lord not realise that the inhabitants of the mainland of Orkney are entitled to equal treatment with the inhabitants of the adjacent island of Great Britain?

Viscount WOLMER

I am afraid that all these questions are dictated by necessities of cost and volume of correspond- ence. As hon. Members know, these services are already run at a heavy loss, and the Postmaster-General is unfortunately unable, in the present financial situation to improve the service all round.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Is the Noble Lord not aware that a postage stamp costs as much in Orkney as in England?

Mr. E. BROWN

Is the Noble Lord not of opinion that better facilities would mean more business?

Viscount WOLMER

The postal service between Orkney and London at the present moment is, as I have said, run at a heavy loss, and any increase in facilities would only add to the loss.

Mr. LIVINGSTONE

Is the Noble Lord aware that the Island of Lewis in the Western Isles is the biggest island in Great Britain?

Mr. SKELTON

Does not the Noble Lord consider that the public duty of the Post Office in supplying an adequate postal service extends to all parts of the country, and is quite independent and separate from any question of cost?

Viscount WOLMER

The postal service which this country gives to outlying parts is, I believe, unsurpassed in any other country in the world, but there obviously must be some limit, and in the present financial situation the Postmaster-General is not able to return to the full facilities that were enjoyed before the War.

Mr. KIRKW00D

Is the Minister aware that the service that we have now in the Highlands of Scotland is not as good as we had pre-War, and surely it should be as good now as we had then? That is all we are asking for at the moment.

Mr. SPEAKER

The Debate can be continued on the Post Office Vote.