§ 88. Mr. MALLALIEUasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that postal packets bearing only halfpenny stamps are frequently delayed a post in country districts, and that dislocation in business sometimes occurs when such packets contain trade orders; and will he take steps to prevent such dislocation?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER -GENERAL (Mr. Graham White)I 550 understand my hon. Friend to refer to the arrangements (described on page 14 of the Post Office Guide) whereby packets bearing a halfpenny stamp posted after a specified time are not despatched the same day. These arrangements have the effect of relieving the sorting work at the heaviest period of pressure, thus enabling the general night mails to be disposed of punctually and economically, and my right hon. Friend cannot see his way to cancel them. Urgent packets which cannot be posted before the prescribed times receive the same treatment as ordinary letters if prepaid a penny.