§ Sir R. Glynasked the Postmaster-General why the railway Post Office travelling sorting vans have been withdrawn from traffic, as the existing slow delivery of postal packets will be still further retarded by this decision; and, as it is possible for railway men of all grades to carry out their duties, why should an exception be made of postal-van sorters who are equally anxious to play their part in spite of difficulties?
§ Captain WaterhouseA satisfactory postal service by travelling post offices is dependent on an elaborate and closely linked net-work of cross-country railway services and presupposes regularity of running. Under present-day conditions it is not possible for railway connections to be regularly maintained and sorting work on trains has lost most of its usefulness. The arrangements which have been made as the alternative to travelling post offices are designed to give the best postal service practicable in present day circumstances. Although sorting in travelling post offices has been suspended until a more opportune time, Post Office staff continue to travel on the more important mail trains to ensure the expeditious handling of the mails. Sorting was not suspended in the interests of the safety of sorters, but because of the practical difficulties I have mentioned.