§ MR. LYELLI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that Mr. Anderson, the newly-appointed sub-postmaster at Baltasound, is the agent of a spirit merchant in Lerwick; and, as holder of a spirit licence, his shop is very much objected to as a post office on account of its encouraging thriftlessness and intemperance; whether he is aware that this house is most inconveniently situated, being quite away from the centre of population in the district; that, while the former Post and Telegraph Office was within the free delivery distance of a great number of the fish-curing stations, the new office is much farther off, and great annoyance will be caused to the fish-curers by the delay and increased charges arising from the change of office: and whether he will take steps to remedy these defects by requiring the new postmaster to give up his spirit licence and remove his office to a more central and convenient situation?
§ MR. RAIKESMr. Anderson was nominated to the vacancy at Baltasound by the Lords of the Treasury with a full knowledge of the circumstances of the case. He does not hold a spirit licence, and does not propose to conduct post office business in premises in which that of a licensed grocer is carried on. As at present advised I see no sufficient reason for cancelling Mr. Anderson's nomination. I will inquire if the postmaster can obtain premises more conveniently situated than his present ones.