HC Deb 16 December 1959 vol 615 cc1427-8
18. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Postmaster-General the number and location of the offices where old-age pensions are payable in the Northfield, Mastrick, Cairncry and Woodside districts of Aberdeen; and what steps he is taking to increase the number and convenience of locale of these offices in those areas.

Miss Pike

A new sub-office to be opened early in January, in the North of the Summerhill area of Aberdeen, will also cater for the South-West part of Mastrick area. This will bring the number of sub-offices serving the districts the hon. and learned Member mentions to nine. I have gone into the matter very thoroughly and believe that these districts will now be adequately served.

As the information for which the hon. and learned Member has asked about the location of the sub-offices is rather detailed, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that these districts are very hilly, widespread and thickly populated with old-age pensioners and others? Would not a solution of the difficulty be found if mobile offices were provided? Would the Minister look into that suggestion with a view to providing offices, particularly where there are old-age pensioners?

Miss Pike

I agree with the hon. and learned Member that the district is very hilly, but when the new office is opened the people in the Cairncry and Woodside wards will be within three-quarters of a mile—most of them less than half a mile —of a post office. There are good local transport facilities. I realise that old people have some difficulty in getting their pensions, but when the new office is open we shall keep the whole situation under review. We have not had mobile offices, but I shall bear in mind the suggestion of the hon. and learned Member.

Following is the information: The Northfield, Mastrick, Cairncry and Woodside districts of Aberdeen are served by the following sub-post offices: Northfield Sub-Office, 11, Lintmill Terrace. Mastrick Sub-Office, 1, Clunie Place. Cummings Park Sub-Office, Moir Green. Middlefield Sub-Office, 815a, Great Northern Road. Woodside Sub-Office, 408, Great Northern Road. Hilton Sub-Office, 85, Hilton Road. Rosehill Sub-Office, 4, Hilton Drive. Kittybrewster Sub-Office, 55, Powis Terrace. The Summerhill sub-post office, to be opened on 4th January, 1960, will be situated just south of the Lang Straught boundary of Mastrick.