47. Viscountess ASTORasked the Postmaster-General whether any post offices are located in licensed premises; and, if so, whether these are licensed for on- or for off consumption?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)It is the general rule of the Department that post offices should not be established in licensed premises; but in exceptional cases where suitable alternative accommodation is not available it is sometimes necessary to place an office in premises where an off-licence is held. No post offices are situated on premises where an on-licence is held.
Viscountess ASTORDoes it seem quite right that, as children under 18 are prohibited from going into public-houses, you should allow the sale of drink from host offices?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThese offices are located in rural grocers' shops.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that officers of his Department in Scotland have done their best to turn the offices in no-licence areas into advertising agencies for various brands of proprietary poisons?
Viscountess ASTORAnd is the right hon. Gentleman not also aware that there is a case in Beckenham, Kent, in which the parson has written to the Postmaster-General complaining of this, that the Postmaster-General has promised to look into it, and that so far nothing has been done?
Sir W. MITCHBLL-THOMSONIf my hon. Friend will give me particulars of such a case, I will look into it.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESIf the right hon. Gentleman cannot, secure suitable premises, other than licensed premises, why cannot he build his own premises?
§ Mr. MARDY JONESI mean post offices.