HC Deb 10 March 1936 vol 309 cc1956-7
40. Mr. R. J. RUSSELL

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent the regulations of the Post Office are being broken at Liverpool; whether the regulation that there shall be no delivery of letters on Sunday has been strictly adhered to, whether he is aware that it is now being broken to facilitate the activities of Liverpool pool promoters; and whether he is prepared to allow the same breach of regulations to all other applicants?

The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Walter Womersley)

I am not aware of any breach of the Post Office regulations at Liverpool. There has been no delivery on Sundays; but on the last two Sundays, in order to meet exceptional pressure, to ease congestion in the Post Office, and to facilitate staffing, certain football pool firms have been allowed to collect their mails. The great volume of this correspondence, to which the Post Office must give as efficient treatment as to any other, can be dealt with most conveniently by being disposed of at once before the arrival of other mails. As there is no breach of regulations, the last part of the question does not arise.

Mr. RUSSELL

If I produce the necessary evidence of a breach of the regulations, will the hon. Gentleman take action?

Mr. LOGAN

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these facilities are working very favourably in Liverpool?

Sir W. WOMERSLEY

The report that I have received is that there is no breach of the regulations. This mail arrived late on Saturday night and early on Sunday morning. It was a very heavy mail, and as it would have meant delay in the delivery of commercial letters and letters to ordinary residents on Monday, the staff acted with common sense in asking the firms to remove it.

Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

Are we to understand that this arrangement only became necessary two or three weeks ago and that the Post Office have, therefore, collaborated with the pools in defeating the object of the Football League?

Sir W. WOMERSLEY

The right hon. Gentleman must not read anything of the kind into my answer. The Post Office treat all its customers alike.

Mr. GRIFFITHS

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the pools have now got security as far as the League in concerned?

Forward to