asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the increasing number of parcels which fail to reach their destination or are delayed in transit through the post, and that there is general public uneasiness concerning the matter; and, if so, if he will have an investigation conducted into this question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Parcel Post Delays.
Representations regarding losses of parcels in the post increased substantially during 1943, but since then there has been a marked diminution. For the year ended 31st July last the number of applications was 2,760, which represents a very negligible proportion of the total handled—approximately 6,600,000 parcels a year. The figures cover both internal and external traffic and there is, of course, no reason to think that all of the losses which did take place occurred within this Administration. The position is not such as to give ground for uneasiness or to call for special investigation.
Any delay in transmission is due to transport restrictions in recent years. The Department avails to the utmost extent of the transport facilities that are available.
Mr. Dockrell
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I was referring to parcels in the inland section and not in the external section. A number of people have made representations to me as regards parcels being lost or, at least, delayed owing to the railway company delaying in the matter. I should like to ask the Minister how the railway company could delay a parcel going from Killiney to Foxrock for something like two months.
The Deputy would have to ask me an individual question about a matter like that.