§ 2.42 p.m.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of public misapprehension that Postal Districts E.17, E.11, E.10, E.4 and E.5 are in East London, whereas they cover parts of North-East Greater London whether representations can be made to the Post Office more correctly to designate those areas as a North-East District.]
§ LORD DENHAMNo, my Lords. I understand that the designation of these postal districts flows from postal operational requirements, which are a matter for the Post Office.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply and appreciating its content, may I ask, nevertheless, whether he could make representations to the Post Office on this matter as I have suggested, seeing that although East London is as worthy a district as Westminster or West London the present designation is misleading and many people become embarrassed accordingly? May I also ask whether the noble Lord is aware that the late Sir Winston Churchill sat for Woodford and Wanstead, which certainly could not be designated East London?
§ LORD DENHAMYes, my Lords, I am aware of some of those facts. But it is very definitely right that this is a matter for the Post Office and it is up to them to make up their minds whether to make this change. I shall not make an approach to the Post Office, but it is perfectly in order for the noble Lord himself to do so if he wishes.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, am I to understand that the noble Lord will not help them to make up their minds?
§ LORD DENHAMMy Lords, I understand that their reasons for having made up their minds on this particular issue are very good ones.
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, does that mean that the Minister pays more attention to the needs of machines than to the needs of people?
§ LORD DENHAMMy Lords, the Minister is not responsible in this case.
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, I am very sad to hear that.