§ Mr. BENNETTasked the Postmaster-General if any steps are being taken to ensure the earlier delivery of the morning mails at West Mailing, Kent, the present delivery, notwithstanding that the hour of arrival of the mail train has not been altered, being more than an hour later than previous to February last, so that in parts of the town letters are delivered as late as 9.45?
§ Mr. PEASEArrangements are being made to restore the pre-war hour of the morning delivery at West Mailing. Since the introduction of reduced hours of working for railway servants on the 1st of February last, and consequent alterations of train services, it has been necessary for the mails to be kept at the railway station from an early hour in the morning until seven o'clock, and delivery has consequently been made over an hour later than it was before that date.
§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dissatisfaction at Sturry, near Canterbury, with the inefficiency of the postal service there; that there are only two deliveries instead of three as formerly, and those two very irregular, the bags having to be fetched from Canterbury by bicycle; that the service, which was more efficient during the War than it is now, deteriorated after September, 1918, when the mail van between Canterbury and Herne Bay was discontinued; and whether he will take steps to restart this mail van and to improve generally the postal service and the facilities for Post Office business at Sturry
§ Mr. PEASEAs my right hon. Friend has already stated, tenders have been invited for a motor service between Canterbury and Herne Bay, and I hope it will be possible shortly to restore it.