§ 42. Mr. Shortasked the Prime Minister if he will give instructions to all Government departments, including the Post Office, that the City of Newcastle upon Tyne should be so designated in all documents, forms, and letters sent out by their local offices in that city.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)I have been asked to reply.
It appears that the correct designation of the city which the hon. Gentleman represents is Newcastle upon Tyne. My right hon. Friend understands that requests have been made to successive Postmasters General to rectify their use of the name Newcastle-on-Tyne. The matter does of course concern other Departments also. However, my right hon. Friend is informed that the expense of rectification would be very considerable—more than would at first sight 159 appear. While my right hon. Friend has every sympathy with the hon. Gentleman's desire that the proper designation should be used as fully as possible, he regrets that he cannot undertake to give the direction for which the hon. Gentleman asks.
§ Mr. ShortWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for making clear what the name of the city is, may I ask him to appreciate that I am disappointed with the second part of the Answer? Could not he at least make a start by providing that when forms are used up, the new ones carry the correct name of the city?
§ Mr. ButlerIt would, of course, be easier to make a start than to make a completion, because there are a great many complications, into which I myself have delved. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would care for my right hon. Friend to write to him about some of the difficulties and to consider the suggestions made.