HC Deb 07 February 1940 vol 357 cc190-1
15. Sir Henry Morris-Jones

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the increased difficulties of all those concerned with the delivery of letters, especially during black-out hours, through persons not giving a full and proper address, he will make an appeal to the public to give the number of their house and the name of the street or road; and whether he will secure the co-operation of the local authorities in the matter?

The Postmaster-General (Major Tryon)

Local authorities have certain powers to require houses to be numbered and their attention is drawn by the Post Office to cases where the absence of house numbers causes inconvenience or delay in the delivery of correspondence. The Post Office has long stressed the desirability of the display on notepaper of the full and correct postal address of the person concerned, including the number of the house if it bears one. As my hon. Friend appreciates, the matter has become one of greater importance under war-time conditions, including the employment of a large number of temporary staff; and I should welcome any steps taken to facilitate the work of postmen on delivery.

Sir H. Morris-Jones

In view of the difficulties which my right hon. Friend has detailed would it not be possible to arrange a broadcast appeal on this matter?

Major Tryon

I think it is of the greatest importance that numbers should be given, and I will consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

Mr. Lipson

Does not the Postmaster-General think it desirable to make representations to the local authorities that they should proceed with the numbering of the houses in their district in view of the black-out?

Major Tryon

I do regard this as a matter of importance, and postmasters have instructions to approach local authorities. It is of the greatest inconvenience to postmen, sometimes men taken on for the first time, when people instead of having a proper number call their house "The Cedars" or some such name.