§ Mr. CLOUGHasked the Postmaster-General (1) what would be the cost of restoring the last collection of letters to pre-War times in the districts of Oxen-hope, Haworth, and Oakworth; and how much is saved by collecting the letters as now at about six o'clock;
(2) 'whether he has received any representations, and, if so, of what nature, against the reduction of postal facilities as compared with pre-War conveniences; and why, when practically all rates have been at least doubled, he cannot give country residents in many districts a system of final collection of letters later than six o'clock, especially when they were accustomed before 1st August, 1914, to enjoy this advantage?
§ Mr. PEASEReduction of postal facilities is naturally unpopular, but the Post Office is obliged to adapt its services to secure the utmost economy as well as to meeting administrative difficulties which either did not exist or did not exist to the same extent before the War. It is true that postage has doubled, but the cost of services has more than doubled, and the additional expense of late collections, though it may be relatively insignificant in individual cases, becomes a considerable item if extended to every district.The cost of restoring the late collection from the places mentioned would be about £173 a year.