§ 31. Mr. A. Royleasked the Postmaster-General why the postal and telephone services have deteriorated in Richmond; and if he will set up a local inquiry into this.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterMainly because of a shortage of staff, the postal service in Richmond is not as good as it should be, but our recruitment campaign is meeting with some success. I have no reason to believe that the telephone service at Richmond has deteriorated.
§ Mr. RoyleWill the hon. Gentleman look at this matter again and answer my Question? Will he set up an inquiry into the deteriorating position which he just admitted exists? Is he aware that this problem is having a great effect on the commercial activities of firms in the Richmond area and that there has been no sign at all of improvement since the steps he took last summer?
§ Mr. SlaterAll I can say in response to that supplementary question is that, apart from the complaints which have been made by one firm and which have been passed on to the Department, no evidence of serious loss of letters in the Richmond area has been reported.
§ Mr. RoyleIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Assistant Postmaster-General's reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.