HC Deb 27 July 1960 vol 627 cc1616-7
2. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a full statement on the consultations which have taken place between his officers, the British Transport Commission and the City of Stoke-on-Trent over the new Post Office headquarters in the City; what stage the plans have reached; whether it is intended to provide the most modern building and machinery including an underground electronic conveyor; and if the site will be laid out with trees, shrubs, and turf.

Miss Pike

The scheme for a new main sorting office in Stoke-on-Trent has been cleared with the local authority. Close contact has also been maintained with the British Transport Commission, and the plans were referred to them some weeks ago. Building should start about a year from now and be completed two years later. The building will be a modern one. The equipment will not include an underground conveyor, as this would be uneconomic. The site will be laid out attractively, retaining existing natural features wherever possible.

3. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Postmaster-General when it is intended to provide a new modern post office for the increasing Meir area in the City of Stoke-on-Trent, and adequate telephone facilities for the Fenpark Road area of Fenton.

Miss Pike

I am sorry but I should not be justified at present in building a new office to replace the Meir sub-post office which is giving a satisfactory service. I am reconsidering the question of providing a sub-post office in the adjoining Wood Farm estate and I will write to the hon. Member about this as soon a; possible. There are no people waiting for telephone service in the Fenpark Road district. An additional telephone kiosk is to be installed in Vivian Road within the next two months.

Mrs. Slater

May I say how grateful the people of that area will be? Although it is in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ellis Smith), I met the previous Postmaster-General on this subject when my hon. Friend was ill, and at that time we thought that there was no hope at all of achieving what we wanted. The people of this estate will be very grateful for that reply.