HC Deb 19 February 1924 vol 169 cc1569-70W
Mr. LINFIELD

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the excessive strain put upon the House of Commons post office staff by reason of the enormous number of canvassing communications received during the last week; and if he will issue a notice to the public suggesting the advisability of addressing such communications to the private addresses of Members?

Mr. HARTSHORN

I am grateful to the hon. Member for calling my attention to this matter. A report which I have now received indicates that there was no undue strain on the staff of the House of Commons post office, which was specially supplemented to deal with the exceptionally large number of communications received last week. There was, however, some strain on the accommodation, and a Committee room had to h used for sorting. I do not think that, in the circumstances, there is any necessity for issuing a notice to the public as suggested, and I doubt whether such a notice would have any practical effect.