HC Deb 02 July 1947 vol 439 cc1300-2
24. Mr. Bossom

asked the Postmaster-General why headquarters Post Office authorities now state that nothing leaves after 6.30 p.m., in view of the earlier announcement that urgent letters taken to any head district post office in London can get a later collection up to about 8 p.m. for delivery by first post in the morning.

Mr. Paling

I fear there must be some misunderstanding. Letters intended for delivery in England and Wales by first post the following weekday can be posted at any London head district post office up to 8 p.m. The final general collection from the street posting boxes in London is, however, made at 6 to 6.30 p.m.

Mr. Bossom

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he will telephone to the headquarters of any of these post offices he will be told that nothing goes out after 6.30 p.m., and that if he takes any letters there up to 8 o'clock it is no use whatever?

Mr. Paling

I will make inquiries into this.

Mr. Keeling

Could the right hon. Gentleman not give us a later collection than 8 o'clock from this House, as we normally had a collection later than any head district office?

Mr. Paling

I believe that matter has already been raised; I do not know what the position is at the moment.

Mr. Bossom

Would the right hon. Gentleman make it his business to see that the chief officers in the various headquarters are aware of the information which he gives to this House, because they certainly are not aware of it?

26. Sir Wavell Wakefield

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dislocation caused to business firms in St. Marylebone by the late deliveries of the first post in the morning; and what steps he is taking to provide an earlier delivery.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

Rearrangement of the postal services to save manpower means that the first delivery in St. Marylebone now finishes about 15 minutes later than before. The aim is to complete the delivery by 9.0 a.m., and I hope that this, will soon be achieved, as the postmen settle down to their new duties and delivery rounds. Meanwhile I am sorry that business firms and residents have been inconvenienced.

28. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a special delivery of pools circulars and coupons was made in the Harrow area during the afternoon of 23rd June, although the normal deliveries are now restricted to two daily; and if he will restrict additional facilities of a special kind so as to increase the services to the general public.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

On 23rd June the number of pool items on hand at Harrow was such that they could not wholly be included in the normal deliveries without adversely affecting the services. They were, therefore, disposed of in a special delivery. The abolition of such special deliveries, which obtain only infrequently and over small areas, would not enable me to increase the services to the general public without additional calls on manpower.

Mr. Skinnard

Is the Postmaster-General aware that this explanation will not by any means satisfy people who were incommoded by what they considered and still consider a delivery that has no moral justification, and which loaded extra work on postmen, when they can see and I can see no urgency in such deliveries?

Mr. Paling

I do not know whether my hon. Friend has got it right. As I understand it, the special delivery was made specially so that it would not interfere with the other two general deliveries, and so that it would not incommode the general public.

Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

Would my right hon. Friend consider having a word with the Headmaster of Harrow to try to get out of this difficulty, and reduce this football betting postage?

30. Mr. Keeling

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the covers of a large number of letters addressed to a Regent-street firm, which were postmarked 9th June in various parts of England, including London, but not received until nth June, or similarly postmarked 18th but not received until 20th June, or postmarked Saturday, 21st June, and not received until the afternoon of 23rd June; and whether such delays will be normal under the new postal restrictions.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

I have examined the covers referred to by the hon. Member. The majority should have been delivered on the morning following posting, and I much regret that delay has occurred from mistreatment in the post. It was quite abnormal and was not due to the recent restrictions of postal services; we are doing all we can to prevent further inconvenience to the firm.

Mr. Keeling

Could the Postmaster-General say to what this delay of large batches of letters was due?

Mr. Paling

I could not at the moment, but I know that when complaints first came in one of our high officials went to the place concerned, and was able to put the matter right. I think he has largely succeeded. Complaints of delays have' not arisen since that time.