§ 57. Mr. MATHERSasked the Postmaster-General whether he has given consideration to the protests of the in- 27 habitants of Newtown St. Boswells, Roxburghshire, against the proposed removal of the Crown Post Office, which has been established there for 40 years; and whether, in view of the fact that this is a growing place and an increasingly important centre of county administration, he will reconsider the decision already announced and allow the Crown Post Office to remain?
§ Mr. ATTLEEI have considered the representations. The change in the status of this office is an integral part of a scheme which provides for the concentration of the postal delivery and collection services at Melrose, and will result in an improvement of the mail service from Newtown St. Boswells. The maintenance of a Crown Office at the latter place is no longer justified by the volume of business transacted.
§ Mr. MATHERSCan the Postmaster-General say on what grounds it is now proposed to remove this post office, seeing that it has existed there, with less business in previous years, for a period of 40 years?
§ Mr. ATTLEEThe hon. Member is misinformed. The business has not increased, it has gone down; and the rearrangement is justified on grounds of economy.