§ Mr. Costainasked the Postmaster-General whether the committee set up to advise on conditions and procedures 25W at Crown Post Office counters has yet reported.
§ Mr. BevinsYes. I have now received the Report of the Committee and I have placed copies of it in the Library.
The Report, which deals with the standards of service in Crown Post Offices, contains many proposals designed to give the public better and quicker service. One of its principal recommendations is that I should consider the reorganisation of counter duties so that most counter staff, instead of dealing with a limited range of duties, handle all types of business. I welcome this proposal—which is currently the subject of practical testing—and I believe it will reduce queuing in Post Offices. The Report also includes many other useful proposals.
I intend forthwith to engage in consultations with the staffs and other Government Departments concerned and to refer the Report to the Post Office Advisory Council. But the responsibility for implementing the proposals which are the concern of the Post Office is mine and I shall lose no time in introducing those which I am satisfied are desirable.
Meanwhile, I should like to express my appreciation of the excellent work of the Committee.