16. Lieut.-Colonel Sir William Allenasked the Postmaster-General the number of Crown post offices in each of the 12 largest cities or towns in the United Kingdom, giving the populations in each case.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingAs the answer is rather long, I shall, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, arrange for it to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir W. AllenWhile I accept the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman, could he give me now the comparative 1480 figures referring to Belfast and the city of Edinburgh?
§ Mr. PalingThe Edinburgh figures are 18 Crown post offices and 471,000 population—I have given the approximate population—Belfast, five Crown post offices and 447,000 population.
§ Sir W. AllenWill the Minister take into consideration the fact that Belfast is a hive of industry, with a large population, and has only five Crown post offices, compared with the beautiful city of Edinburgh, which is largely residential, and has 18 Crown post offices? Will he look into the matter, and see whether he cannot give us more Crown post offices?
§ Mr. PalingI am always willing to consider that.
§ Following is the answer:
§ In the London postal area, the population of which approaches 4,500,000, there are 204 Crown post offices. The figures for the 12 largest cities outside London are:
| County Borough of. | Number of Crown Post Offices. | Estimated population at 31st December, 1946. |
| Birmingham | 43 | 1,090,150 |
| Glasgow (Royal Burgh) | 32 | 1,075,744 |
| Liverpool | 25 | 751,820 |
| Manchester | 34 | 684,640 |
| Sheffield | 7 | 508,850 |
| Leeds | 10 | 493,120 |
| Edinburgh (Royal Burgh.) | 18 | 471,192 |
| Bristol | 16 | 452,320 |
| Belfast | 5 | 447,918 |
| Newcastle-upon-Tyne | 7 | 290,730 |
| Nottingham | 4 | 290,320 |
| Kingston-upon-Hull | 7 | 287,380 |