Central Post Offices

HC Deb 09 July 1958 vol 591 cc391-2

43. Mr. H. Wilson

asked the Postmaster-General how many towns with a population of over 40,000 have no central post office.

Mr. Marples

I could not obtain an exact answer without a great deal of inquiry, but most towns of the size mentioned have a centrally-situated post office.

Mr. Wilson

Would not it be better if the Postmaster-General devoted his energies to building post offices instead of doing this research? Will he look again at his Answer to Question No. 42—in which he says that he can do this only when the town has developed further—since its population is about 40,000 and the existing services are utterly inadequate?

Mr. Marples

The population is now 37,000, and it is rising to 60,000. It is hoped to start building round about 1960 or 1961, and the Ministry of Works is making a comprehensive plan for Government offices in the town centre.