§ 41 Mr. Keelingasked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he intends to restore the evening collections in Inner London at 7.30, 9 and midnight.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Burke)A review has been made of the improvements possible in the postal services with the staff now available. Pending the return from the Forces of more of the regular staff it has only been possible to introduce some improvements of a relatively minor character, though they include the restoration of four of the main travelling post offices and later posting times in London and elsewhere for first delivery next day. The full programme of post war postal services cannot be introduced until a much greater proportion of the regular staff now with the Forces has returned to the Post Office and the services have been comprehensively overhauled; and my Noble Friend proposes to make a full statement well in advance of its introduction.
§ Mr. KeelingIs it intended to restore these services at some future date?
§ Mr. BurkeUntil the whole of the scheme is put under review, it is impossible to say whether these particular services will be restored.
§ Mr. GlossopWhen the hon. Gentleman undertakes a comprehensive survey, will he realise that in many parts of the country there is only one collection a day?
§ Mr. William WilliamsWill the hon. Gentleman give full weight to the views of the staff associations concerned in this matter before he comes to any final decision in regard to these very late collections which impose hardship on the staff concerned?