§ 44. Sir Percy Hurdasked the Postmaster-General how old age pensioners and recipients of billeting and Forces allowances are to collect their allowances if their rural post offices are closed, as is now proposed, and travel to the nearest remaining post office would, as in the case submitted to him, involve the 58 recipients in total omnibus fares of £2 18s. per week?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am glad to assure my hon. Friend that in the case submitted to me, namely, Lorton, near Cockermouth, the post office is being maintained.
§ Sir P. HurdIs it not a fact that a number of these small rural post offices are being abolished, and that it is almost impossible sometimes for old age pensioners to travel to the nearest post office?
§ Mr. MorrisonThey are not being abolished; but in some rural districts, when a sub-postmaster resigns, it is found difficult to obtain a suitable person to 666 replace him. That difficulty exists in a greater degree in some of the rural places mentioned. There is no question of abolition; but, where a postmaster resigns, it is sometimes difficult to get a man to replace him.
§ Mr. MorrisonOr a woman.