§ 26. Mr. Denzil Freethasked the Postmaster-General whether he will authorise the provision of a sub-post office at Little London, near Andover, Hampshire.
§ Mr. FreethIs not my hon. Friend aware that in this hamlet there is a shopkeeper who is more than willing to act as an attendant at a sub-post office there, 1431 and that the distance between this hamlet and the nearest post office is not one mile, but over 1¼ miles from the centre, and very much more from the outlying part of the hamlet? Furthermore, is she aware that the distance between Little London and Andover is much more than 1¼ miles, and that the bus service running between the two places is very unsatisfactory? Will not she allow a little of her charm to radiate into Little London at Christmas?
§ Miss PikeI am looking at this matter very closely. Little London is a village with fifty-five houses, and it is only three miles from Andover. Mr. and Mrs. Green would like to open a sub-post office there. We had a post office there in 1945, but we have not found any reason for reopening it in present circumstances. I would point out to my hon. Friend that those of us who live in the country do not have such generous standards as those who live in urban areas, and that in rural districts we have to apply something like a two-mile rule rather than a one-mile rule.
§ Mr. FreethOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest possible moment on the Adjournment.