§ 7. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Assistant Postmaster General whether he is aware that rural shops which include a sub-post office are bought and sold at inflated prices; and what action is taken to ensure that local people have a fair opportunity of obtaining the post office agency when a vacancy occurs.
§ Mr. GammansI have no information about the price at which such shops are bought and sold. When a sub-postmaster gives up for any reason, the appointment is normally advertised locally and the best qualified candidate with suitable premises to offer is appointed. There is no question of a man taking over the shop in 1066 which the post office was formerly housed being automatically appointed.
§ Mr. JegerIn thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask if he is aware that the information I have received from my constituents is that the shops which are also sub-post offices are put up for sale and, because the permanent living of sub-postmastership goes with the shop, command inflated prices and get preferential treatment when the vacant possession is applied for?
§ Mr. GammansI can assure the hon. Member that there is no question whatever of preferential treatment. If a man buys a shop in which there is a sub-post office, he may well find that the sub-post office may not be kept there after all.