§ 3 and 4. Mr. J. Edenasked the Postmaster-General (1) when the sub-post offices in the Kinson, Northbourne and Redhill areas of Bournemouth were first opened; and how many of these are placed in shops;
(2) what was the population served by the sub-post offices in the Kinson, North-bourne and Redhill areas of Bournemouth when they first opened; and what is the present-day figure.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonSub-offices were opened in the parish of Kinson which includes the Northbourne and Redhill areas, in 1856, 1892, 1924, 1925, 1932, 1933 and 1951. There are now nine sub-offices in the parish, and all of them are in shops. I cannot say what the population of Kinson was at each of the dates in question, but I understand that in 1851 it was about 900 and that today it is about 34,000.
§ Mr. EdenBearing in mind the last part of my hon. Friend's Answer, will he not from that appreciate that the population has increased very considerably since these sub-post offices were first installed, and will he recognise that it is not so much the distance between sub-post offices that matters as the increase in population? Will he say whether there is any likelihood of new sub-post offices being provided to meet the needs of the increased population? If he considers that there is no likelihood, will he at least undertake to visit the area?
§ Mr. ThompsonI am very grateful to my hon. Friend for his offer of hospitality and, if convenient, I will take an opportunity of paying the visit. We are aware of the effect of this increase in population on the demands on the post offices in the area, but the present feeling is that the demands are pretty well met.