7. Dr. Bennettasked the Postmaster-General why a latter, whose cover has been forwarded to him, which was posted in time for the 4 p.m. collection at Hill Road, Porchester, on Sunday, 5th February, was not delivered in Conduit Street, London, W.1, until 3.40 p.m. on Monday, 6th February.
§ Miss PikeThis letter should have been delivered first post on Monday, 6th February. Enquiries have failed to establish the precise reason why it was delayed, but a shortage of staff in London, due to recruitment difficulties and influenza, may well have been a contributory factor. I am sorry about this failure of service and would assure my hon. Friend that we shall do our best to avoid a recurrence.
Dr. BennettWhile thanking my hon. Friend for her gallant apology for the service, may I ask whether she will be good enough to ascertain whether this kind of delay does not happen rather more often than just this one occasion?
§ Miss PikeI do not wish to make excuses for the service, but we are doing our best to make it as efficient as possible