§ 4. Lieut-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Postmaster-General, in view of the fact that the express letter service rate has been increased by 100 per cent., what steps he is taking to ensure that the service given to such letters will also be increased in a similar proportion.
Dr. HillThe object of this increase in the rate for express letters was to meet rising costs. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any difficulties with this service, I shall be glad to look into them.
§ Lieut-Colonel Bromley-DavenportDoes my right hon. Friend think that there really will be any improvement despite his increased charges? Does he not in his heart of hearts think that his Department is only following the example set by other nationalised industries, which is to give the public worse service at increased cost?
Dr. HillI am aware that in such a service as this there are bound to be errors and mishaps from time to time, but I believe it is wrong to make sweeping generalisations on the basis of occasional incidents.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he could accede to his hon. and gallant Friend's request the letters would be received before they were posted?
Dr. HillI take the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question as an opportunity to point out that in this special delivery service letters proceed by post in the ordinary way to the delivery office and it is only thereafter that they are sent by a special method to secure prompt delivery.
§ Lieut-Colonel Bromley-DavenportHow can my right hon. Friend say that the service is improving? Does he not know that I have recently lost two letters and a book which set me back 19s., and only this morning I had another instance of one of my letters being lost?
Dr. HillIt is a most unfortunate fact of life that these things seem always to happen to my hon. and gallant Friend.
§ 5. Lieut-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the increased charges made for various postal services, including letter rate, messenger rate, express rate, telephones, etc., he will urge all Post Office staff to ensure a proportionate improvement in the efficiency of the service to customers.
Dr. HillNot only is the Post Office staff aware of the importance of giving an efficient service, but it is doing its utmost to give it.
§ Lieut-Colonel Bromley - DavenportCan my right hon. Friend say what the position of this country would be today if those engaged in our export trade had followed the same example as the Post Office, which is to give our customers worse service at increased cost?
§ Mr. W. R. WilliamsIs the Postmaster-General aware that the difficulty which 183 his hon. and gallant Friend is experiencing with public boards is as nothing compared with the difficulties which they experience with him?