asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to ensure that the mail presently held up at the Cricklewood Sorting Office will be delivered, in order to safeguard the livelihood of many small business firms in that area.

The Government recognise and sympathise with the difficulties caused to small businesses by the unofficial action of Cricklewood postmen. However, they believe that the Post Office, with the co-operation of the Union of Post Office Workers, is best placed to deal with the dispute. As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Industry has made clear in another place, he considers any intervention by himself at this stage would not be helpful.House adjourned at twenty minutes past six o'clock.