§ Sir W. Allenasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that much business is being lost to Northern Ireland manufacturers, whose premises are situated in country districts, owing to lack of postal facilities for deliveries and collections of mails; if he will revert to prewar two deliveries daily and more frequent collections of mails, particularly as there is an ample supply of labour for these purposes, and facilitate a shorter period of transit between his postal department and Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Burke:I am aware that as a result of the war the postal services in the country districts of Northern Ireland as in England, Scotland and Wales are generally speaking inferior to the prewar services. I would, however, like to refer the 378W hon. and gallant Gentleman to the statement I made to the House on 12th March about the improvements which my Noble Friend proposes to make in the postal services, and in this connection to assure him that the need for improving the services in the country districts or Northern Ireland will receive full consideration.
The transit of mails between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is at present mainly dependent upon the surface transport services, and some improvement may be possible as a result of any acceleration given to those services. As was announced on 12th March, my Noble Friend is also considering the use of night flying air services.