§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General how many committees have been appointed during the last four years to inquire into post office activities; what were the specific fields of inquiry of each committee; and how many of them have reported.
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§ Mr. BevinsThere have been many internal committees covering various aspects of our work; but I presume the hon. Member is thinking primarily of committees which take a broad and fundamental look at our services to the public and related methods. There have been four of these in the last four years.
Postal Services
A Committee on Service at Crown Post Office Counters, under the Chairmanship of the Director of the Post Office, South Western Region, was set up in 1959 to advise on conditions and procedures at Crown Post Office counters. It reported in 1960.
A Committee was set up in 1960, under the Director of Postal Services, to advise 142W on the efficiency of existing arrangements for handling and conveying mail between Post Offices in the United Kingdom. It has not yet reported.
Telephones
A group under the Director of Inland Telecommunications, reported in 1959 on "Telephone Service and the Customer".
Telegraphs
An Advisory Committee on the Inland Telegraph Service, under the Chairmanship of Sir Leonard Sinclair, was set up in 1957 to advise on the future of the inland public telegraph service. It reported in 1958.
The reports of these Committees, except the one on mail handling, are available in the Library.