§ 21. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Postmaster-General if he will give the year when all the vans in his Department will possess heaters.
§ Mr. MawbyUnder present arrangements we would expect one vehicle in two to have a heater within two years from now and that by 1970 practically all vehicles will have been equipped. I regret that I cannot be more precise than this.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes the hon. Member think that there will be no more winters until 1970? Is he not aware that in very cold weather men who are driving these vans and who do service and repairs will be far more capable of doing a job if they are working in warm vans or travelling in them? Will he do something for the benefit of the employees?
§ Mr. MawbyAll our new vehicles are fitted with heaters. We are in the process of fitting heaters to vehicles which still have a good length of active life ahead of them, particularly in cases where they undertake long journeys or are used by staff who would normally have to work through the night. That is the line that we are taking. We hope that we can work as fast as possible in the interests of the comfort of the staff.
§ Mr. MasonWill the hon. Member tell the House why the old vans were not originally built with heaters?