§ 3. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of unsatisfactory postal deliveries, notably from London, in the Vale of Evesham; and why mail posted in London up to 5 p.m. is not carried on the new 8.15 p.m. fast passenger train from Paddington to Evesham, for distribution from the Evesham head post office, serving a radius of 15 miles, and delivery first post the following morning.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Joseph Slater)My right hon. Friend fully explained this matter in his letter 227 of 12th May to the hon. Gentleman. As regards the use of the 8.15 p.m. train for mail posted in London up to 5 p.m., we cannot in this interval collect, date stamp, sort and make up into despatches the large number of items posted in the late afternoon and early evening.
§ Sir G. NabarroIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that is a terrible answer? What is the use of British Railways inaugurating magnificent new fast, direct services, London-Oxford-Evesham-Worcester-Malvern-Hereford, if the Post Office, another nationalised industry, will not use them for mails posted before 5 p.m. in London for delivery first mail in the morning in Worcestershire?
§ Mr. SlaterWe have made a detailed examination of this position, spread over a month. We are not treating it lightly. That examination showed that a few mails were liable to suffer delay in transit. By rerouting we have reduced the delay.