§ 34. Sir Henry Morris-Jonesasked the Postmaster-General, whether he can make a statement as to the present facilities for collection and delivery of letters; whether there will be any curtailment for the future; and give an indication for the guidance of the House and the public as to what departure from the normal there is or will be in the time taken for a given letter to reach its destination?
§ The Postmaster - General (Major Tryon)Postal work has been made more difficult by the calling up to the Colours of a large number of Post Office servants, by the rearrangements of train services and by the lighting restrictions. Some of the later deliveries and collections have been curtailed. In the London area the last two deliveries of the day have been combined into one beginning at 6 p.m. and night collections have been suspended after 7.30 p.m. The effect in the provinces is less marked. Until experience has been obtained of the working of the new railway time tables it is difficult to forecast the extent to which further rearrangements may be necessary, but I have no doubt that, while here and there some slowing down may be inevitable, it will prove possible to maintain generally a reasonably effective service. For instance, I would expect that letters posted in Central London before 5.30 p.m. will be delivered anywhere throughout England and Wales the following morning.