HC Deb 06 March 1924 vol 170 cc1657-9W
Mr. W. GREENWOOD

asked the Postmaster-General on whose recommendation the Sunday delivery of letters was abolished; whether he has had any requests for its re-establishment; is he aware of the

traffic and the credit for Government traffic; and will he say how these figures compare with those of the previous quarter?

Mr. HARTSHORN

The revenue and expenditure (including interest, depreciation and all overhead charges) in respect of the Post Office wireless stations at Cairo, Leafield, Northolt and Stonehaven, respectively, for the quarters ended 31st March, 1923, and 30th June, 1923, were as follows:—

long delay over the week-end in getting messages through regarding sickness and death; how much would the loss or profit be to the Department if the Sunday delivery was renewed; how would it affect employment in the Post Office; and does he purpose taking any action?

Mr. HARTSHORN

The abolition of the Sunday delivery in 1921 was primarily a measure of economy, carried out with the approval of the Government at that time. Very few requests for the re-establishment of the service have been received. The telegraph and the telephone are, of course, available for urgent communications. There has never been a Sunday delivery in London, and its restoration elsewhere would involve additional expenditure which may be roughly estimated at £300,000 a year. I do not propose to consider the question at present. If the delivery were restored the work would be done mainly by the existing staff of the Post Office. It would not afford relief to unemployment.