HC Deb 15 May 1962 vol 659 cc1128-9
14. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Postmaster-General if he will establish closer liaison with local authorities when siting new sub-post offices in their areas.

Miss Pike

We are always glad to take the fullest possible account of the views of local authorities about the siting of new sub-post offices in their areas. But our choice of site must also, of course, take account of the qualifications of the available candidates for the offices and the suitability and location of their premises.

Mr. Dempsey

Does the hon. Lady realise that recently the town council's unanimous view about the siting of a new sub-post office in the town of Coat-bridge was rejected in favour of the view of the man from Whitehall? Does not she realise that the local people have geographical knowledge of the area? It seems ludicrous that someone who only knows the town from seeing it on a map should site the post office. Does not the hon. Lady realise that there is a need for closer liaison and better understanding between local councils and her Department?

Miss Pike

There is, in fact, very close liaison. I would not accept that this has been done just from a sight of the map. All the initial information about the site came from the head postmaster and from the regional officers who visited the site and looked at it very closely. We must reserve the right of deciding on what we consider are the best premises in the interests of our customers and to decide the best person to run the post office. In this case, I considered the matter very carefully, and I believe that we have good premises which serve the north residential area of the town and the east shopping area. We also have the right person to run the sub-post office.

Mr. Swain

Will the hon. Lady say whether her Department consulted the Clay Cross Urban District Council, the Chesterfield Rural District Council and the Derbyshire County Council, which is the planning authority for the area, when she decided to close the Old Tupton post office in north-east Derbyshire?

Miss Pike

I cannot give the hon. Gentleman exact details about who was consulted in that instance without notice, but I assure him that we consider all the relevant interests before we close a sub-post office.

Mr. G. Brown

Will the hon. Lady accept it from me that the best thing to do is to consult her, because it worked out very well in the case of Belper?