§ Mr. Spriggs48 & 49. asked the Postmaster-General (1) what representations have been received to date about his proposals for transferring the management of postal and counter services from St. Helens to Warrington; whether he has informed the staff concerned about his proposals; and if he will make a statement about whether the collection, sorting and delivery of mail and parcels is to remain the responsibility of the St. Helens Post Office;
(2) what personal contact he has had with Post Office staff most likely to be affected by his proposals for a transfer of management for postal and counter services from St. Helens to Warrington; what consultative machinery exists for this purpose; and at what stage Post Office management made use of this machinery to inform Post Office workers of the proposals which would affect them.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI have had no representations except from the local staff. I have not met them myself but local staff consultation is now taking place. As has 99W been usual, this followed notification to the headquarters of the Staff Associations concerned, but I am reviewing this procedure. The existing arrangements for collection, sorting and delivery of mail are not affected by the change of control.