§ 11. Mr. Ellis Smith (Stoke-on-Trent, South)asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the design of the new Post Office central headquarters near the railway station at Stoke-on-Trent; what consultation and co-operation there have been with the local authorities, including the city council and British Railways; whether it is intended to include an electric conveyor system so that mail bags can be conveyed direct from the station platforms; and whether it is intended to lay out the area with turf, trees, shrubs and plants.
§ Miss PikeI am glad to say that the new building at Stoke-on-Trent will be completed in the autumn of next year. It will contain a modern public Post Office, a sorting office with a conveyer, and a postal garage and workshop. The plans were agreed with the local authority and British Railways. The site layout will preserve existing natural features as far as possible, and I am sure that the hon. Member will regard it as attractive.
The conveyer system will not extend to the railway station, as this would not be economic.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithI appreciate that reply. Would the hon. Lady agree with me that the present method of conveying mail bags is obsolete? Would not this have provided a unique opportunity to carry out an experiment with a view to conveying the bags from the train and the platform to the Post Office?
§ Miss PikeAs the hon. Gentleman knows, I took a close personal interest in this project, partly because I know it so well. I examined the conveyer system and I came to the conclusion that it would not be economic to try this sort of experiment there.