HC Deb 16 March 1949 vol 462 cc2107-8
47. Mr. Erroll

asked the Postmaster-General if he will instruct the Post Office Advisory Council to investigate the unsatisfactory postal services between Manchester and London and report to him.

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Hobson)

No, Sir. The evidence which the hon. Member was good enough to let my right hon. Friend have yesterday has disclosed some weakness in organisation which will be thoroughly investigated. He is satisfied that the remedy lies in departmental action and he will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Erroll

While I am grateful for the action which is being taken, could the Minister publish the reply that he is going to send, and bear in mind that the evidence which just one hon. Member can collect is only a very small indication of the total amount of dissatisfaction which exists?

Mr. Hobson

I do not admit for one moment that the state of affairs which the hon. Member has envisaged concerning the case at Manchester is common to the whole of the Post Office.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

When this matter has been investigated, will the Public Relations Officer of the Post Office issue a statement?

Mr. Hobson

That is a different question.

Air-Commodore Harvey

In the meantime, will the hon. Gentleman undertake to publish the letter to which he has referred so that other people in the Manchester area will know what it is all about?

Mr. Hobson

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman had better wait and see.

Mr. Erroll

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is not what I envisage but what I am being told by business men in Manchester?