§ 9. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that "No Waiting or Loading" signs in streets in the London, W.1 area are sometimes ignored by drivers of Post Office vans; and if he will take steps to ensure that drivers employed by his Department adhere rigidly to these regulations.
§ Mr. MarplesPost Office vehicles are permitted to wait in restricted streets under specified circumstances. I am not aware that Post Office drivers are abusing the regulations, but I should be happy to inquire into any case that my hon. Friend cares to bring to my notice.
§ Mr. JohnsonWill my right hon. Friend be good enough to instruct drivers to be especially careful in some of the very narrow streets in that part of London where the whole flow of traffic is sometimes held up? I quite appreciate their difficulties, but perhaps they might be a little more careful.
§ Mr. MarplesI can assure my hon. Friend and the whole House that it is becoming a nightmare in the West End 1221 of London to deliver and collect mails on time, largely because of the waiting cars. The task of the Post Office drivers is made very difficult. The regulations allow Post Office vehicles to wait when mail is being delivered or collected. If my hon. Friend wishes, I will send him a copy of the regulations. I think he will find that we do not abuse them in any way.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsDoes the Minister appreciate that these drivers have a difficult enough job without being harassed in this House?
§ Mr. MarplesI do not think they are harassed in the House. I am quite certain that they have an extremely difficult job, and some of the head postmasters in the West End of London have an even more difficult job to get the mail through on time.