HC Deb 25 January 1968 vol 757 cc574-5
42. Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in support of the widespread public mood of greater attention to work and service, he will ask head postmasters to review permissions already given to certain Crown post offices to close to the public during the middle of each working day.

Mr. Joseph Slater

The alterations in hours of opening at Crown office counters have allowed us to deploy our staff better and so are a contribution to our general drive for higher productivity. My right hon. Friend would not therefore be justified in making any general reversal of his policy, though he is always prepared to review individual cases.

Mr. Wainwright

In view of the refusal to intervene to keep Crown offices open during the dinner hour, will the hon. Gentleman tell us what advice he offers to mill workers in scattered industrial areas manufacturing for export for attending to Crown office business without damaging production?

Mr. Slater

We give accommodation to businesses, but in general the hours of businesses at post offices compare quite favourably with those of shops up and down the country.