HC Deb 23 July 1963 vol 681 cc1253-4
20. Mr. Boardman

asked the Postmaster-General what action he is taking to eliminate delay in delivery of mail from the Sale, Cheshire, area.

Mr. Mawby

I am sorry that vacancies for a few postmen in Sale are causing delay in the delivery of mail there. There is full employment in this area and we are not finding it easy to get the recruits we need.

Mr. Boardman

I am equally sure that that is not an adequate answer. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am concerned with mail going from the Sale area? Is he satisfied with the transit arrangements of mail from Sale? Is he satisfied that there is proper co-ordination between British Railways and the Post Office in this connection?

Mr. Mawby

We are in touch with British Railways to try to solve some of the difficulties in parcels traffic. This is part of a general discussion we are holding. But until now I had no evidence that outgoing mail services are unsatisfactory. However, I should like to discuss this with the hon. Gentleman to find out whether we can get to the bottom of this problem.

Mr. Boardman

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there have been many complaints, over a long period, from this part of Cheshire? On a number of occasions the hon. Member for Knutsford (Sir W. Bromley-Davenport) has raised this matter. How long are these inquiries to take?

Mr. Grant-Ferris

Does my hon. Friend realise that the place in question is not really in the constituency of the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Boardman) but in that of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade? I should like to ask the hon. Member for Leigh if he has consulted my right hon. Friend as a matter of common courtesy?

Mr. Speaker

Order. As I understand the process, this appears to be an attempt by the hon. Member for Nantwich (Mr. Grant-Ferris) to ask another hon. Member a question. It is not in order.