Mr. H. SIMPSONasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that in some parts of Exmoor letters are delivered by the Post Office on three days only in each week; has he received any representation on the subject from the 2411W Somerset County Executive Committee of the National Farmers' Union; and what steps does he propose to take to improve the postal facilities in that part of West Somerset?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe facts are as stated by the hon. Member. The frequency of postal deliveries in thinly populated districts must necessarily bear some relation to the volume of correspondence and to the cost of providing the services. Even with a delivery three days a -week only, the cost in the Exmoor area is high in relation to the volume of correspondence, and I cannot see my way to incur the additional expense which a daily delivery would entail.