§ 80. Mr. Bossomasked the Postmaster-General how many of his staff are authorised to open and to re-seal letters between private citizens, or to examine the contents of letters; and by what standard those employed are selected.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe number varies with the number of postal packets required to be examined under the several authorities mentioned in the Answer given on 17th November to the Noble Lord the Member for South Dorset (Viscount Hinchingbrooke). The work is done by supervising force or the senior manipulative grade employed in sorting offices.
§ 84. Mr. Spenceasked the Postmaster-General what average delay in delivery is caused by the opening of private letters by his Department.
117W
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingI assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to those postal packets mentioned in the second part of the reply given to the Noble Lord, the Member for South Dorset (Viscount Hinchingbrooke) on Wednesday, 17th November. I regret that information which would enable me to assess delay with any degree of accuracy is not available. But I can assure the hon. Member that all practicable steps are taken to eliminate delay or alternatively to minimise it.