§ Sir M. MANNINGHAM-BULLERasked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the delay in the delivery of letters to Desborough since the address has been changed from Desborough, near Market Harborough, to Desborough, near Kettering, Northamptonshire; and, in view of the inconvenience thereby caused to manufacturers and
544Wnumber of parcels carried in British Dominions and Dependencies, and in foreign countries; the year the system was introduced into the respective countries; and whether there is any evidence available to show the effect of the system on the smaller retailers?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe cash-on-delivery system is in operation in the internal service of Australia, Canada, the Irish Free State, India and Ceylon, and of 30 foreign postal administrations, including nearly all the principal European countries and the United States. It cannot be stated when the service was introduced in each case, but in some countries it has been in operation for very many years. In Australia it dates back to 1914 or possibly earlier, while in Canada it was introduced as recently as 1922. The latest available information regarding the traffic in some of the principal countries which have an internal cash-on-delivery service is as follows:
others in Desborough, if he will take the necessary steps to ensure prompt delivery of letters in future?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe delays in delivery to which the hon. and gallant Member refers appear to have been due to the letters bearing incorrect or incomplete addresses. The correct postal address is "Desborough, Kettering, Northants," but I understand that certain 545W local firms quote their address on their notepaper as "Desborough" simply or "Desborough, Northampton." I fear that it is impracticable to avoid all risk of delay unless letters are correctly addressed, but steps have been taken to reduce such risk as far as possible.