§ MR. BARRIE (Londonderry, N.)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he has received a memorial from the Limavady Urban District Council protesting against the proposal to reduce Limavady from the status of a head office to that of a sub-office under the direction of the postmaster of Londonderry, almost twenty miles distant; whether he is aware that postal business at Limavady is rapidly increasing, the staff now numbering nineteen, against five fifteen years ago; and whether, in view of the facts, he will favourably consider the request of the memorialists and allow Limavady to remain a head office.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI have received a memorial from the Limavady Urban District Council objecting to the proposal to reduce Limavady to the status of a sub-office. It seems to have been written under a misapprehension of the facts. The Londonderry district now completely surrounds the Limavady district, and the office itself, the rural posts, and the sub-offices can be more efficiently supervised from Londonderry. The change will in no way impair the postal facilities of the district, but on the contrary will increase the efficiency of the local service. The postal work at Limavady is not at present increasing.
§ MR. BARRIEasked if the effect would not be to delay the mails by some hours.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThe information I have is that the postal facilities of the district will not be adversely affected.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI will carefully consider any representations made through hon. Members.