HC Deb 15 December 1948 vol 459 cc1183-4
10. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Postmaster-General how many post offices are situated in the same room as shops carrying on businesses, such as grocers, confectioners or stationers; and in view of the extension of the work and responsibilities of the post office, whether he will now arrange for this public service to be carried on in premises arranged solely for that purpose.

The Postmaster-General (Mr. Wilfred Paling)

About 17,000. The amount of post office business transacted at them is generally insufficient to warrant the provision of separate offices, and the present arrangement enables the post office to give facilities over a much wider area than would otherwise be possible.

Mr. Freeman

In view of the fact that most of this increase is connected with banking and insurance, will my right hon. Friend approach these organisations and ask them to offer their facilities to the nation rather than make use of the facilities of village grocers?

Mr. Paling

I think the Post Office is doing a pretty good job here.

Mr. Keeling

Is it not a good thing for the public service to be in close contact with private enterprise in 17,000 different places?

Mr. Paling

It is a good thing to provide post offices as far as we can.

Mr. W. R. Williams

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that it is still the policy of the Department to convert scale payment offices of this kind to Crown offices wherever that becomes practicable?

Sir Stanley Reed

Does not the Postmaster-General recognise that many of these offices are doing admirable work in the rural areas, and that to curtail them would mean a great hardship to people in scattered communities?