HC Deb 12 March 1963 vol 673 cc1157-8
12. Mr. Chapman

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reconsider his decision not to allow a sub-post office in the Merritts Hill area of Northfield, Birmingham, in view of the hilly nature of the locality and of the petition from local residents.

Mr. Mawby

We have looked into this question again; but I am afraid that we should not be justified in incurring the expense of adding to the three sub-post offices already in this area.

Mr. Chapman

Have not the requirements been relaxed recently in the sense that sub-post offices can be nearer to each other than they used to be? In view of the great hardship for elderly and infirm people in this particularly hilly locality, cannot something be done about this matter? Would the hon. Gentleman be willing to allow one of the new shops in this area to have a licence for stamps, postal orders and so on and see how we get on with that and then, perhaps, extend the facility later?

Mr. Mawby

We will certainly consider the hon. Gentleman's suggestion about the sale of stamps, However, we believe that the three existing sub-post offices perform a reasonable service, particularly when one takes into account the fact that there is a good bus service to and from the post office at Aliens Cross.