§ 72. Mr. COMPTONasked the Postmaster-General if representation has been made to his Department with reference to the delivery and collection of letters in the Gorton district of Manchester; if he is aware that the facilities to-day are exactly similar to those in operation prior to the amalgamation of Gorton with the city 16 years ago; and, in view of the large number of new houses recently erected in this district, if he will take steps to see that this district is not less favourably treated than other parts of the city further removed from the general post office in the centre of the city?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONRepresentations on this subject have been received locally. The postal facilities at Gorton compare favourably with those in operation in similar districts on the outskirts of the city. I am afraid that I could not justify the considerable expense which would be necessary to extend to these surburban areas all the facilities provided in the Manchester central area. The new building developments in Gorton have been kept under observation, and a new sub-post office will shortly be opened to meet the growing needs of the locality.
§ Mr. COMPTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that four collections and three deliveries on one side of the road is at all favourable compared with the other side where there are nine collections and four deliveries? Will he also bear in mind that Gorton is not a suburb of Manchester but part of it?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am fully aware of the local circumstances, but there must be a boundary drawn somewhere for a town area and a suburb.
§ Mr. COMPTONDraw it outside Gorton.