HC Deb 24 January 1951 vol 483 cc126-7
29. Mr. Russell

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that during the fortnight before Christmas many business letters were not delivered in the London area until five days after posting; and if he will take steps to ensure that in future they are not held up for so long by Christmas mail.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Owing to the enormous seasonal increase in the volume of traffic; some delay to letters cannot be avoided during the week before Christmas; but I am not aware of exceptional delays prior to that week. Every effort is and will be made to deliver correspondence as speedily as possible, but it is not practicable to segregate business letters for special acceleration.

Mr. Russell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it took five days for many letters posted in the East London area to reach addresses in Willesden? Does he not think that rather unreasonable, and will he look into the question of separating letters bearing penny stamps from those with 24½d. stamps?

Mr. Ness Edwards

Because of the inexperienced staff we had to recruit some delay was to be expected. We will do our best to watch this matter in the future.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

To minimise some of the delay, will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of having a late evening collection on Boxing Day?