§ 2. Commander Donaldsonasked the Assistant Postmaster-General for an estimate of what would be the additional cost of a daily mail delivery service in the Tima Valley of Selkirkshire compared with the present service of three deliveries weekly.
§ Mr. GammansAbout £60 a year, or rather more than Is, for each letter delivered earlier.
§ Commander DonaldsonIn view of the fact that the farmers of this area have been trying for 36 years to get an increased delivery service, will my hon. Friend not consider the benefits that could be derived from it by these rural areas, and in this case give it sympathetic consideration?
§ Mr. GammansI should very much like to do what my hon. and gallant Friend asks, but if I did it here it would be necessary to do it for similar rural areas in Scotland, and that would involve us in very heavy expense.
§ Commander DonaldsonBut is my hon. Friend not aware that the rural areas in Scotland and in other parts of the country need some support, for they have few if any other amenities?
§ Mr. GammansYes, but I think it is rather difficult to make out a case for this when we are trying to economise in other directions and I tell my hon. and gallant Friend what would be the cost of this additional delivery.