asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the considerable postal delays in Cambridge, sometimes involving four or five days and causing the gravest inconvenience to private business; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this defect.

My inquiries do not suggest that full paid letters are being delayed to the extent implied by the hon. Gentleman. The great proportion of letters for Cambridge are delivered the weekday following posting, but I am sorry that on occasions a few items are delayed, largely because of staff shortages at some of our key offices. Our staffing position is getting better and I hope that this will enable us to improve the service.