HC Deb 29 January 1891 vol 349 cc1277-8
MR. JOHN WILSON (Lanark, Govan)

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that the recent appointment of a licensed grocer as postmaster of a branch post and telegraph office at Pollokshields, near Glasgow, and the fact that the work of the post office is carried on on the same premises as the licensed grocer's business, have caused grave dissatisfaction in the district; whether he can see his way to give effect to the public feeling in the matter by removing the post office referred to from its present location; and whether he will lay on the Table of the House a Return of all the post offices in Scotland that are carried on on licensed premises?

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES, Cambridge University)

The hon. Member is probably aware that I have made it a practice not to appoint licensed grocers in Scotland to the situations in question, except in cases where the exigencies of the Service render a departure from the practice necessary. I am aware that the recent appointment of a Receiver at Pollokshields is not considered satisfactory by a certain section of the inhabitants of the district; but, after full consideration of all the circumstances, I have not seen fit to cancel the nomination of Mr. Izat, which was made by the Lords of the Treasury. I have no objection to lay upon the Table such a Return as that described in the last paragraph of the hon. Member's question if desired by the House; but I scarcely think that any useful result would be attained by such a step.