LORD HATHERTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
[The question was as follows:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they can state definitely when the improved postal services will be introduced in the London area, and what will be the nature of the additional services.]
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for the opportunity of making a statement about the improved postal services in the London area. Arrangements are being made to introduce these services on January 20 next. In accordance with the statement which I gave to the House on March 12, additional collections will be made at 7.30 p.m. and 9.0 p.m. on weekdays, except Saturdays (the 9.0 p.m. collection being restricted in the Central areas). On Sundays the final collection will be made at 8.30 p.m. in the Central Districts, and at 7.30 p.m. elsewhere. On weekdays (except Saturdays) there will be five deliveries in head districts and four in sub-districts, in place of the present three deliveries, and the starting time for the final delivery in head and sub-districts will be 7.0 p.m. instead of 3.0 and 4.15 p.m. as at present. On Saturdays there will be four deliveries in head districts and three in sub-districts, the final delivery 1075 beginning at 3.0 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. respectively.