HC Deb 04 July 1956 vol 555 cc1310-1
16. Mr. Gower

asked the Postmaster-General what steps are taken by his Department to consult local opinion before siting new rural telephone kiosks.

Mr. Alport

The programme for the provision of rural kiosks is drawn up in consultation with the Rural District Councils' Association, and local officials of my Department keep in close touch with local interests regarding the location of individual kiosks. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will let me have particulars, I shall be glad to make inquiry.

Mr. Gower

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that there is a feeling, certainly in Wales, that his Department does not pay sufficient heed to the views and knowledge of parish councils and parish meetings and associations of parish councils, with their superior local knowledge?

Mr. Alport

My right hon. Friend hopes that, with the expansion of the Post Office advisory committees, which will represent local interests of various sorts, consultation of this sort may be improved in the future.

Mr. Snow

While supporting in principle what the hon. Member for Barry (Mr. Gower) has said, may I ask the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there is a tendency towards wastage, where new housing estates are completed, by contractors' lines being sealed up although it is planned by his Department to install kiosks. Could not one job follow the other? If I send him particulars of a rather bad case in my own constituency, at Mile Oak, will he please look into it?

Mr. Alport

I hope that if the hon. Member has an example he will bring it to our attention immediately.