§ 20. Dr. Kingasked the Postmaster-General what was the total number of letters and parcels dealt with by the post office at Southampton during the Christmas period of 1961.
§ Miss Pikeit is estimated that about 6.2 million letters, cards and letter packets were posted at Southampton during the period from 13th December, 1961, to 2nd January, 1962. No reliable estimate can be made of the items delivered, nor of the inland parcel traffic handled. Neither is it possible to give a precise figure for the substantial quantity of foreign mail which was dealt with at Southampton over Christmas.
§ Dr. KingIs the hon. Lady aware that this stupendous task, which is carried out every year, could never be achieved without the utter good will and co-operation of management and men in this great Department, a co-operation to which tribute is paid annually by the Mayor and by the two Members of Parliament who represent Southampton? Will the hon. Lady represent to her right 875 hon. Friends that this good will is being torn down and jeopardised by the Postmaster-General at the present time and that the right hon. Gentleman should do everything to restore it?
§ Miss PikeI assure the hon. Gentleman that we do not underestimate the value of good will in the Post Office.
§ Mr. J. HowardMay I associate myself with the remarks of the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Dr. King) regarding the good will, and may I ask my hon. Friend whether she can give us the figures for the amount of mail from the United States posted in Southampton for redistribution in Europe annually, or for the Christmas period?