§ MR. BOULTON (Huntingdonshire, Ramsey)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if, under the rules and regulations of the Post Office, the business of a district or branch post office may be carried on in licensed premises; and, if so, will he take steps to separate the business of all branch or district post offices from such licensed premises in such a way that the business of the post office can be conducted out of sight of the licensed trade, and that distinct and separate entrances may be provided to the branch or district post offices and that part of the premises where intoxicating liquors are sold.
The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Sydney Buxton. Tower Hamlets, Poplar)As I have before stated when questioned on this subject by hon. Members, it is the rule that sub-postmasters should not be persons licensed for the sale of drink; and it is only when no other arrangement is practicable that exceptions to the rule are allowed. There are only thirty-three post offices in the United Kingdom in which the Post Office business is not separated from that relating to the sale of intoxicating liquors. Such an arrangement is not sanctioned except where no other is practicable.
§ MR. LEIF JONES (Westmoreland, Appleby)May we take it that no exception to the general rule that licensed premises should not be used for post offices will be made when other suitable premises can be found?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThat is so.