§ 7. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that his discontinuance of certain long accustomed postal deliveries in the City of Aberdeen has been followed by an intimation to the citizens that they can receive letters, so not delivered, by calling for them at Crown Street Post Office on payment of a 6d. fee on each letter in addition to the pre-paid postage on each letter, and that there is widespread discontent at this new procedure; if he will immediately discontinue it; and if he will state the statutory authority under which he seeks to impose it.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonI am sorry I cannot exempt the citizens of Aberdeen from payment of the standard fee of 6d. which is made each time a person calls for letters—but not, as the hon. and learned Member supposes, for each letter collected. The authorities for the fee are the Post Office Act, 1953, and the Inland Post Warrants.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister realise that this new practice is retrogressive, invidious and damaging to trade, industry and commerce, and that it will ultimately prove uneconomic to the Post Office itself? Will he look into the matter with a view to withdrawing his exercise of 1024 these rather reactionary statutory powers, to which he has just referred?
§ Mr. ThompsonI am sorry that the hon. and learned Gentleman thinks that anything the Post Office does is damaging to business. This is not a new practice. The fee has recently been increased, but it has always been the practice to charge a fee for all letters separated and handled in this way.