HC Deb 17 December 1934 vol 296 cc805-6
16. Mr. WISE

asked the Postmaster-General how much extra staff he proposes to employ to open and investigate the correspondence passing between Great Britain and the Irish Free State?

Sir K. WOOD

I do not anticipate that any extra staff will be required.

Mr. PIKE

Does my right hon. Friend not consider that the promise of the right hon. Gentleman, that any member of the community can send a 10s. postal order to Dublin, will necessitate an increase in the staff if the remaining acts of scrutiny are to be carried out?

Sir K. WOOD

I thought my hon. Friend would have been very pleased with my reply.

Mr. CHURCHILL

Would the Postmaster-General be well disposed towards a request for the preparation of a return of the number of letters opened in connection with the Betting and Lotteries Act?

Sir K. WOOD

That does not appear to be relevant so far as this question is concerned.

Viscountess ASTOR

I hope the Postmaster-General will not be trapped into the net of the right hon. Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill).

Mr. CHURCHILL

With great respect, the Postmaster-General has not answered the perfectly courteous and amicable inquiry that I addressed to him.

Sir K. WOOD

The matter is so important that perhaps my right hon. Friend will put his question on the Paper.