HC Deb 19 February 1929 vol 225 cc946-8
30. Captain CROOKSHANK

asked the Postmaster-General if he is in a position to indicate what are the difficulties with the railway company which prevent the opening of a post office and/or the installation of automatic stamp-vending machines at King's Cross: and what is the date of the most recent negotiations on the subject?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

The Railway Company have stated in the past that they could not possibly spare the necessary accommodation for a Post Office, and I have had no sufficient evidence of a general desire for additional postal facilities to lead me to re-open the matter. The question of installing automatic stamp-vending machines at King's Cross and other London Termini was considered in 1927, but the proposal was abandoned as the Companies concerned insisted on the payment of rentals to which I could not see my way to agree.

31. Captain CROOKSHANK

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in the interests of the travelling public, he will open negotiations with all the railway companies at whose chief London and provincial stations there are neither post offices nor stamp-selling machines and endeavour to secure these facilities for travellers?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

Telegrams can already be sent from the principal railway stations and stamps can be obtained at many bookstalls. There is no evidence of any such demand for additional postal facilities as would justify the heavy cost of opening Post Offices at the chief London and provincial stations, and in many cases the railway company have no space available. As indicated in my reply to another question by my hon. and gallant Friend, the difficulty in the way of installing stamp-selling machines lies in the fact that the railway companies are unwilling to agree to their installation except on payment of a rental.

Captain CROOKSHANK

Is it not the policy of the Post Office to anticipate public demands?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

I have tried to arrange for the installing of these machines, but I am not prepared to accept the position that in order to secure this particular measure of benefit for the public the Post Office ought to be asked to pay an exorbitant rent.

Mr. MACKINDER

Is the rent demanded by the railway company a nominal rent or a real rent?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

I should require notice of that question. The rent varies in different cases.