§ MR. H. KIMBER (Wandsworth)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is now able to account for the extreme length of three and a half years' delay which has elapsed since the site for a new post-office in Weston-super-Mare was acquired at an expense to the State of about £5,000; what is the estimated expense of the building proposed to be erected by the Postmaster General which the Treasury disagree with; what is the amount of saving which the Treasury estimate should be effected by reduction of that estimate; and what is now being done to make progress?
§ MR. HANBURYThe erection of the building has hitherto had to be postponed in favour of more pressing cases. The estimate referred to was £7,000 for the building and £600 for fittings and furniture. This was greatly in excess of the original estimate. The question of its reduction is now under consideration between the Postmaster General and the Treasury. Arrangements are being made temporarily to rent and fit up an adjoining shop, which will provide a good parcel and sorting office as well as storerooms and retiring rooms for the clerks and postmen, in lieu of the present temporary sorting office on the other side of the street.