§ 32. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Postmaster-General if he will review the present system of collecting mail in the urban district of Darfield, near Barnsley, so that a collection of mail can take place at 8 p.m. or thereabouts from Monday to Friday, inclusive, and at 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
§ Miss PikeThe services provided in the Urban District of Darfield are comparable with those in similar areas. I am sorry that I would not be justified in providing later collections on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. WainwrightI regret that reply. Does the hon. Lady realise that Darfield has a population of 6,500 and that it borders on Barnsley and Wombwell which have a collection three hours later than Darfield? Could the hon. Lady reorganise the route of the collecting van so that when it goes from Barnsley to Wombwell it can make a later collection at Darfield?
§ Miss PikePerhaps the hon. Member does not know that people wishing to post letters later than 5.20 p.m. on Monday to Friday can do so at the box at Low Valley sub-post office which is near Wombwell, three-quarters of a mile from Darfield sub-post office. Very few people 1071 use that box. The number of letters posted in Darfield boxes from Monday to Friday after the last collection and before they are cleared next day averages nine at Darfield sub-post office, and two at Doncaster Road. We do not feel that the expenditure is justified.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes the hon. Lady realise that the post office at Low Valley is right on the fringe of Womb-well and some way away from the centre of Darfield? Does she also realise that letters that are written in the evening are not posted until next day in Darfield because it is needless so to do, and that the collecting van which comes from Barnsley to Wombwell could easily be diverted round Darfield? [Interruption.]
§ Mr. WainwrightOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.