HC Deb 08 July 1959 vol 608 cc1341-2
32. Mr. D. Griffiths

asked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange that when a registered letter is put in at the post office it shall not only be stamped with the date but also with the time at which it is handed in.

Mr. K. Thompson

No, Sir. This would be a costly thing to arrange. Where a record of the time of acceptance is asked for, it is entered on the certificate of posting.

Mr. Griffiths

I appreciate what the Assistant Postmaster-General has said, but is he aware that this Question was put down with a view to eliminating or curtailing certain malpractices which take place? While accepting that it may be costly, would not a small charge over a period of years counteract that? If the Postmaster-General cannot do what I ask, will he at least publicise the position so that the general public may know, when they do take a registered letter for post, that the certificate could be marked with the time as well as with the date stamp?

Mr. Thompson

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving us the opportunity to publicise this fact. I hope that people who want it will take advantage of it.

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