§ Mr. Keelingasked the Postmaster-General, to what extent the sorting and despatch of mails cease during the period of air-raid warnings; and whether he proposes to alter these arrangements?
§ Captain WaterhouseThe staff in many sorting offices are in exposed positions and originally the general practice was for the indoor staff to take refuge when a public warning was given. On the other hand the work of conveying mails to and from the railway stations and of loading them on to the trains was as a rule continued. I am glad to say that arrangements are now operating under which the ordinary work of the Post Office Departments is carried on, as far as possible, until danger appears imminent.
§ Captain Pluggeasked the Postmaster-General the instructions given to the staffs of all post offices in the country with regard to taking shelter in air-raids; whether such taking shelter is compulsory; and, if so, whether, in view of the orders given to industrial organisations to carry on until the guns begin over- 286W head, he will take new steps to avoid chaos such as the delay in telegrams for 24 hours which is arising in the handling of Post Office business?
§ Captain WaterhouseOriginally the practice was for the Post Office staff, with certain exceptions, to take refuge when a public warning was given. This practice has been discontinued and arrangements are now operating under which the ordinary work of the Post Office Departments is carried on, as far as possible, until danger appears imminent.