§ 24. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Postmaster-General at what time and on what day his Department posts letters at the General Post Office in London in order to be certain of delivery in Dundee on a Saturday morning.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonThe scheduled latest time of posting from the London Chief Office of the G.P.O. for Saturday delivery in Dundee is at present 3.30 p.m. on Friday. I am arranging to change this time to 5.0 p.m. in the near future; but the train carrying these mails is liable to run late, and those who wish to be certain that their correspondence will be delivered on Saturday morning should post by 1.15 p.m. With the British Transport Commission, we are doing all we can to get the running of the train improved and we are taking steps to minimise the effects of the late running on the delivery in Dundee.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs the Minister aware that the only way I can be absolutely certain of getting a letter delivered in my constituency before the weekend is to post it on a Thursday afternoon? Is he further aware that the delay is due to the changing of the timetable of this train, apart from its late running, and that he will have the support of a very large number of people in Dundee if he will make really strong representations to go back to the original time of this train?
§ Mr. ThompsonWe are conducting negotiations with the British Transport Commission to try to find the best way of getting these mails through regularly.
§ 25. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Postmaster-General at what time it is necessary to post letters in Westminster and central London for them to be delivered by the first post in Chigwell, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chipping Ongar, respectively.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonIn street boxes generally by 7.30 p.m.; but there is a collection from selected street boxes at 9.0 p.m. connecting with the delivery, and also one at 9.30 p.m. from the main post offices. As my hon. Friend will know, mail has been delayed in London recently, but I am glad to say that there have been definite improvements in the last few days.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonIs my hon. Friend aware that in the Palace of Westminster one day last week before 5.0 p.m. I posted an urgent and important letter to a constituent in Chigwell and it was not delivered to my constituent before the afternoon of the following day? This sort of delay could be very serious. What 1206 is happening in the Post Office, because there are very disquieting reports, both at home and abroad, about these delays? May we be assured that full efficiency will be restored before very long?
§ Mr. ThompsonYes, Sir. We are doing all we can to make sure that the high standard of the Post Office is restored as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. C. R. HobsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the concern about the delay in the delivery of mail in the London area? Will he personally, along with his right hon. Friend, go to the West Central Post Office to see if something can be done in that office?
§ Mr. ThompsonWe have been concerned for some days about the delays in deliveries in the London area. We are taking steps in consultation with the union, which has been very helpful, to try to get some misunderstandings that exist ironed out.