HC Deb 09 July 1963 vol 680 cc1040-1
33. Mr. Awbery

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received from Bristol and the West Country with regard to the delays in the transmission of parcels to the Midlands and the North; and what steps are being taken to eliminate these delays.

Mr. Mawby

Representations have been made to us from time to time by a number of firms and individuals in Bristol and the West Country. Each complaint has been thoroughly investigated. Most of these delays occur while the mails are in transit, and with British Railways we are doing our best to improve matters. I can assure the hon. Member that we shall not let up.

Mr. Awbery

Is it not a fact that the Chamber of Trade in Bristol has complained on several occasions about these delays? Since these complaints have been received, why has the hon. Gentleman allowed these delays to continue?

Mr. Mawby

I have no information about official complaints being made by the Chamber of Trade. As I have said, we have had complaints and we are still receiving complaints on individual items, but the movement of parcels is a much wider problem throughout the country. We hope that the progress that we are making in the East Anglian experiment will enable us to extend this over other parts of the country so that we can have a more efficient parcel-handling service throughout the country.

Mr. Webster

Is my hon. Friend aware that he is still receiving many complaints from me on behalf of Weston-super-Mare? Will he incorporate Weston-super-Mare in any improvement which he gives to Bristol?

Mr. W. R, Williams

Is itnot clear from the persistent complaints which have been made that the rate of progress in the joint discussions between the British Transport Commission and the Post Office is not rapid enough? Some very serious principle must be decided upon, otherwise these complaints will continue.

Mr. Mawby

Iagree completely with the hon. Gentleman that it is very much a matter of our being able to reach agreement with British Railways and of trying to come to an arrangement by which we can both do our part efficiently together rather than pull against one another. We are aming at that.