HC Deb 11 May 1897 vol 49 cc189-90
MR. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, in view of the small number of money order offices in the Island of Lewis, the population of which numbers nearly 30,000, he will again consider the advisability of opening money order offices at Barvas and Crossbost without guarantee?

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) Preston

The Postmaster General regrets that the circumstances of the case would not justify him in opening offices at the places in question without guarantee. There are already six in the so-called Island of Lewis, which is not an island, but only half a one.

MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, in view of the fact that in reply to an inquiry for the names of the post offices in the Island of Lewis at which money order and savings bank business is transacted the Secretary on the 31st March issued the following list, viz. Callanish, Carloway, Harris, Miavaig, Ness, Obbe, Port of Ness, and Scalpay, whether he is aware that three of the eight places named are not situated in the island of Lewis at all, and that the list is otherwise inaccurate, the most important money order office in the island, viz. Stornoway, being omitted; and, whether, in the circumstances, he will now give an accurate list of the money order offices in the island?

MR. HANBURY

It is regretted that in the letter mentioned by the hon. Member, the sub-post offices in both Harris and Lewis (which are divisions of the same island) were included instead of those in Lewis only. Stornoway was accidentally omitted and the list was in that respect inaccurate. The money order offices in Lewis are as follows:—Stornoway, Callanish, Carloway, Miaviag, Ness and Port of Ness.