§ 7. Mr. Gowerasked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made in the last year in the devolution of the administration of the work of his Department in Wales; what progress is contemplated during the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarplesThe Director of the Post Office in Wales exercises the Postmaster-General's full powers in a number of matters and in other matters authority has been devolved to the maximum extent practicable. Devolution is kept under continuous review and the Director's powers are increased whenever necessary or desirable.
§ Mr. GowerIs not the Post Office completely out of step with all the other Government Departments in Wales? Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is now the only Department whose activities in Wales are concentrated on Shrewsbury? Is he also aware that it is practically the only authority which has such a large overlap between Wales and the border counties? Will he re-examine the problem?
§ Mr. MarplesI am sure my hon. Friend will know of the third memorandum of the Council for Wales and Monmouth issued in 1956, which gave the reasons why certain parts of England had to be included in Wales. That is because we have to use the existing communication system for the delivery of post. However, the Director in Wales has immense powers. He can purchase sites and provide new buildings; he can deal with cases of indiscipline; he can write off cash or stores. There is tremendous power given to the people in Wales. We cannot go further than that.