HC Deb 27 March 1939 vol 345 c1704
41. Sir J. Mellor

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent the failure of many urban authorities to cause houses to be numbered has occasioned inconvenience and delay in the delivery of mails?

Major Tryon

Although detailed information is not available, I can assure the hon. Member that the failure to number houses does cause inconvenience and sometimes delay in the delivery of correspondence, and in such cases the attention of the local authorities is drawn to the matter.

Sir J. Mellor

Will my right hon. Friend consult the Lord Privy Seal in this matter, in view of the fact that air-raid wardens have found that the absence of numbers on houses puts considerable difficulty in the way of their work?

Major Tryon

I will make a note of that suggestion, but, as a matter of fact, the Government have no power at the present time to compel the use of numbers on houses. Serious inconvenience does arise, particularly in cases where somebody is suddenly taken ill and the doctor cannot find the house.

Sir J. Mellor

Is this not a duty cast upon the local authorities by the Public Health Act, 1875?