§ 44. Mr. Mathewasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the necessity to encourage the summer tourist industry in Exmouth in order to stimulate the local employment situation, he will now arrange for Sunday morning counter services in the post office in Exmouth during the summer months.
§ Mr. MarplesI am arranging for the Exmouth Head Post Office counter to be opened on Sunday morning in the summer months this year; and for the need for opening in future years to be reviewed in the light of this season's experience.
§ Mr. MathewI am most grateful to my right hon. Friend for his Answer. May I express the hope that when he is making further arrangements for postal facilities in the coastal areas of Devon he will bear in mind that some of the curtailment in the past year, although it may have been necessary, acted in some degree as a deterrent to the all-important tourist trade?
§ Mr. MarplesAny future decision will depend upon the extent to which the post office counter is used.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsHow far is this innovation being extended? Is it to apply to all tourist areas?
§ Mr. MarplesThe great majority of them have been closed on Sunday as a policy, but in certain resorts they have been open during the season. We will see how they go this year.
§ Mr. W. R. WilliamsMay we assume that every one of these cases will be dealt with strictly on its merits, not making any artificial distinction between one area and another? Obviously everything should depend on the number of customers who take advantage of the service.
§ Mr. MarplesThat assumption is correct.