HC Deb 30 April 1958 vol 587 cc369-70
35. Mr. J. Henderson

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to the business community in Glasgow by the late delivery of mail from Leicester and Nottingham which frequently is not delivered to Glasgow until the afternoon following the day of posting; and what steps he is taking to have a regular morning delivery.

Mr. Marples

Yes, Sir. These delays, which I regret, have been due mainly to the late running of the train used, especially during the bad weather in recent months. We are in close touch with British Railways about this matter, and I am hopeful that there will be an improvement.

Mr. Henderson

In the event of my right hon. Friend not getting a satisfactory solution from the Ministry of Transport, will he seek some other means whereby this very important business connection between England and Glasgow could be improved?

Mr. Marples

I shall make strong representations to my right hon. Friend, but the matter is not very easy, because the modernisation plans on the railway involve a certain amount of engineering work between Warrington and Euston, though I think that we shall, ultimately, have the benefit of that work.

Mr. J. Harrison

Has the Minister heard of any other delays caused in transporting mail on British Railways, apart from this instance? Are these delays special to this route?

Mr. Marples

Delays are largely, of course, between Warrington and Euston, and this, of course, affects a number of places. As I said, it arises from the modernisation plan.