HC Deb 27 June 1928 vol 219 cc518-9
31. Mr. LAMB

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the aim of his Department to give a delivery of letters at least once on each weekday to every house in England and Wales; to what extent his Department at the present time has failed to give such daily delivery; and the additional cost which would be incurred if such daily delivery were given generally?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)

I cannot say that the first part of my hon. Friend's question can be answered by an unqualified affirmative, for, ever since regular deliveries were first instituted in 1897, it has always been recognised that there are isolated places in various parts of the country where a delivery every weekday could not be given except at wholly inordinate expense. A special and costly return would be necessary to enable me to furnish the information asked for in the second part of the question; but I shall be glad to make inquiry about any particular locality which my hon. Friend may have in mind.

Mr. R. MORRISON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the longest time that elapses between deliveries in any part of the Kingdom?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

I could not say without notice.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it his aim to restore the deliveries that were in existence before the War? We do not ask for more than that at the present moment.

Mr. LAMB

Is it not correct to say that there are large areas which only receive a post twice a week?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

No, Sir; I think that that would be an incorrect statement. There are large isolated localities in various parts of the country where that is true, but they are only in outlying districts, and in those parts the amount of correspondence carried is almost insignificant.

Mr. LAMB

In view of the increased transport facilities, is it not true to say that places which were previously-isolated would not now be considered to be so by any other Department?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

I do not think that that is so.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman cease to consider his Department as purely a money-making Department for the Chancellor of the Exchequer?