§ 10. Mr. Owenasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the limitations under which staff work, and the general public are served, in the General Post Office in Morpeth in the County of Northumberland; what action is being taken to deal with the matter; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Miss PikeSome improvements, including the introduction of "all-purpose" working, were made last year. My right hon. Friend cannot do more until the new automatic telephone exchange is ready next spring. The telephone exchange will then be removed from the present building, and this will enable the head post office to be replaced by a new building, on site.
§ Mr. OwenI appreciate what was done last year, but is the hon. Lady aware that there is an urgent need for an immediate improvement in the conditions in which the members of the staff are working? What are the possibilities of getting a date-line fixed for a new post office at Morpeth, which is urgently needed?
§ Miss PikeWe recognise the urgency, and I assure the hon. Gentleman that we hope to deal with it very soon—some time this year.