§ 6. Mr. Wilkinsasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will now restore the prewar late-fee posting facilities on Post Office carriages attached to mail trains, particularly the 7.20 p.m. Bristol-York express.
§ Mr. BurkeNo, Sir. I regret that in view of the present manpower difficulties the restoration of late-fee posting facilities is not possible.
§ Mr. WilkinsIs it not a fact that sorting staff are already on these coaches; consequently, what difficulties are there in restoring these facilities?
§ Mr. BurkeOur present policy is to raise the general level of the postal services throughout the country, and this would not further that policy.
§ Mr. WilkinsI do not think that that quite answers my question. I am asking whether it is not a fact that sorting staff are already available to undertake this service.
§ Mr. BurkeYes, Sir. They are available on the coaches, but they are not able to cope with and extra work.