12. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Postmaster General whether he will issue instructions that in all towns of over 50,000 population at least one post office should remain open until 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday, inclusive.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterNo, Sir. We keep offices open until 6 p.m. in exceptional cases, but this is done on the basis of an examination of the business transacted at each office.
Mr. MitchellIs my hon. Friend aware that in most towns a large number of people, due to their working hours and conditions, find great difficulty in getting to the Post Office between the normal hours of nine and five? In his drive to make the Post Office efficient, will he remember that the element of service should always remain within the Post Office?
§ Mr. SlaterYes, Sir. This is one of the things which we take into consideration, and after looking carefully at local conditions here we decided that there was not sufficient business at any office in Southampton to justify a later closing time than 5.30 p.m.