HC Deb 18 March 1959 vol 602 cc378-80
5. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Postmaster-General his plans for expansion of the Post Office and telephone service during the coming year.

Mr. K. Thompson

I refer the hon. Member to the White Paper on Post Office Capital Expenditure, 1959–60, published yesterday.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that that reply is of a general character, whereas I asked him about a particular constituency? What is he doing to extend Post Office facilities in the recently developed housing estates at Mastrick, Northfield and elsewhere in Aberdeen, by the provision of more telephone kiosks and better facilities for the old-age pensioners? What is he doing in those areas?

Mr. Thompson

We are carrying out developments of the kind referred to over a very wide area to the best of our ability.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we welcome the issue of the annual White Paper? It is an excellent innovation. Will he tell the House why it is that the Post Office is having less money this year for capital investment than in the last three years, and why this cut has been imposed on the provision of exchange lines?

Mr. Thompson

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his recognition of the value of the White Paper, which we hope will be helpful to the House generally in assessing the work that the

The numbers for the five years 1954 to 1958 are:—

For Lanarkshire … … 2 7 11 2 2
For Scotland … … 182 140 164 101 36
For Great Britain … … 1,134 1,468 1,577 1,161 575

13. Mr. Lawson

asked the Postmaster-General what steps are being taken by the Post Office to provide for a large expansion of training opportunities for boys and girls as recommended by the Carr Committee in the Report, "Training for Skill."

Mr. K. Thompson

We recruit and train boys and girls up to the limits set by the existing or foreseeable requirements of the work and our financial resources. As regards training opportunities open to our young engineering recruits, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 4th December to the right hon. Member for Brighouse and Spenborough (Mr. J. Edwards).

Mr. Lawson

I have not that Question in mind. Is the hon. Gentleman aware

Post Office is undertaking. The story of our capital investment is reasonably well known and I do not think that I need go over it again.

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