SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)To ask the Postmaster-General if he can give the names and populations of the towns in the county of Derby which are classed as head post offices, excluding the county borough of Derby; 779 and state how many of these towns exceed in population the borough of Ilkeston, which is classed as a railway sub-office.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) Some towns with head offices in Derbyshire and many elsewhere have a smaller population than Ilkeston; but this is not a reason for giving Ilkeston a head office, since the population of a town is not the principal consideration in determining whether a head post office should be placed there. I do not think, therefore, that any useful purpose would be served by giving the detailed information for which the hon. Member asks.