§ Mr. Sharpasked the Assistant Postmaster-General why letters posted in Central London by 4.30 p.m. on Friday are now rarely delivered in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, before the following Monday morning; and what action he will take to improve the postal service provided for Cleckheaton firms and people.
§ Mr. BurkeA letter posted in Central London by 4.30 p.m. on Friday should under normal conditions secure first delivery at Cleckheaton on Saturday. I regret that weather conditions during the last two months have dislocated train and road services, causing serious delay to the mails. There has been a considerable improvement in train services during the past week and London mails have reached Cleckheaton in normal course. I hope this will be maintained.
§ Mr. Sharpasked the Assistant Postmaster-General the classification of the main post office at Cleckheaton, Yorkshire; whether the volume of business transacted and mail handled is greater than that of any post offices in the next higher classification; whether the classification determines the size of staff and the equipment provided; and whether he will up-grade the Cleckheaton post office 272W and provide a prompt and efficient postal service for the local firms and people.
§ Mr. BurkeThe main post office at Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, is in Class III for the purpose of the pay of the post office manipulative grades. The information necessary to answer the second part of the Question is not readily available. The answer to the third part is in the negative; and as regards the last part, a claim for the up-grading a, the office is under consideration. If my, hon. Friend will let me know in what way the present postal service is unsatisfactory I shall be glad to pursue the matter.