HC Deb 22 June 1955 vol 542 c1282
3. Mr. Dye

asked the Postmaster-General what provision he is making for old age-pensioners to draw their pensions in the parish of Elsing since the closing of Elsing Post Office, in view of the fact that some dozen old-age pensioners are 80 years of age and have a journey of six miles to the nearest post office, there being no public transport service.

Dr. Hill

Beginning this week, temporary post office counter services, including the payment of pensions, will be provided in Elsing for a few hours each Friday until a new sub-office can be opened.

Mr. Dye

Whilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the speed with which he has dealt with this matter since the Question was put on the Order Paper, may I ask that in future, whenever post offices are closed in villages where a big proportion of the population is of old-age pensioners, some immediate steps should be taken to meet their needs?

Dr. Hill

In this case immediate steps have been taken because on 1st June the service had to end and since then we have been searching for someone to take over —indeed we are still searching—and we made these arrangements in the interim.