§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that mails used to be conveyed to Winchfield Post Office, Hampshire, by rail; that the railway facilities were excellent; that Winchfield Post Office is only 100 yards from the station and was specially constructed for the purpose of being the post town of the district of which it is the natural centre; that mails are now sent by motor van from Basingstoke, 10 miles distant; and whether, in the interests of economy and efficiency, lie will be prepared to revert to the former system?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe mails for Winch-field and places in the immediate neighbourhood were formerly conveyed to the Winchfield Post Office by rail and were sorted at that office. In order, however, to simplify administration, and, at the same time, to secure a substantial saving, the work of sorting the letters was, in 1916, transferred to the Basingstoke Post Office. The night mail letters, after being sorted at Basingstoke, are sent on by motor van in order that they may obtain earlier delivery than would be possible if they were held back for despatch by the train which calls at Winchfield at 7.26 a.m. It would not be in the interests of economy or efficiency to revert to the former system of sorting these letters at Winchfield.