§ MR. J. CALDWELL (Mid Lanark)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether his attention had been called to the dissatisfaction which is alleged to exist amongst local authorities, particularly in the case of the Metropolitan area, with regard to the valuation, of Government property; and whether, in considering applications for new post offices, or for additions to existing ones, he will take into consideration the possible after-charges for rates, and avoid as far as possible the sanction of expensive sites or of costly plans, and limit the expenditure to what may be fairly necessary for the efficient carrying on of the postal work?
§ MR. ARNOLD MORLEYIn proposing any scheme for a new post office care is taken to avoid unnecessary expense for site or undue cost for buildings. The expenditure is in all cases carefully limited to what is fairly necessary for the efficient performance of the Service, and should the burden of local rates be largely increased the Department undoubtedly might be restricted in its selection of sites for new buildings.