§ 47. Mr. T. LEWISasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the delay caused by the fact that there is no office at Southampton for the stamping of documents; and if he will consider the reopening of a Government stamp office in that town?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEThe interval of time which elapses between the presentation of documents for stamping and their return is not, I am advised, greater at Southampton than at many other towns similarly circumstanced—and is in any case not considerable. I regret that I am unable to agree to reopen the office, which was closed in the interests of national economy on the ground that the volume of work was insufficient to employ a full-time staff.
§ Mr. LEWISCannot these documents be sent back by return of post instead of being kept for two days, or over weekends, and sometimes four days?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI am sure that there is no unnecessary delay, but, if my hon. Friend finds there is delay, and will furnish me with cases where there has been delay, I will have the matter looked into.