§ 41. Mr. Wootton-Daviesasked the Postmaster-General to what extent post office vans will be used in the scheme for pooling vehicles to reduce the unnecessary use of fuel in retail deliveries; and whether he will arrange that in rural districts, in particular where retail deliveries present particular difficulties, post office vans will play their part in the new pooling system?
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Grimston)The Post Office is already delivering many articles through the post which were formerly delivered direct by retailers; it is prepared to accept additional items if posted in the normal way. In view, however, of the importance of a regular and speedy mail service, which is already adversely affected by the war, it is not possible to accept for delivery articles not properly transmissible by post. Post Office van services have been considerably curtailed since the outbreak of the war in the interest of national economy, both as regards the number of vans used and in mileage run.