§ 7. Miss Herbisonasked the Postmaster-General when the Crown Post Office being constructed in Shotts will be in operation.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the delays which occurred before the erection of this building? Does it not seem a long time to wait until November, 1965 before the building is in operation? Surely the building of one Post Office can be hurried up. Can the hon. Gentleman tell me how many workers will be employed in this Post Office and what will be the nature of the operations carried out?
§ Mr. MawbyI was not happy about the time and we have been able to reduce it by four months. In reply to the second point, 11 men are employed on the site.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that what I wanted to know was how many people will be working in the Post Office once it is in operation and what operations will be carried out in it as a Post Office?
§ Mr. MawbyAt the moment I could not answer the hon. Lady's Question, but I will certainly find the answer and send it to her immediately I have it.
§ Mr. RossWhat factors have caused the delay which evidently has dismayed both the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member for Lanarkshire, North (Miss Herbison)?
§ Mr. MawbyThere were two main problems. One was the difficulty of getting anybody to tender at a price which we were prepared to consider reasonable. The second was the difficulty of the site which is very exposed and therefore involves a longer building period. These were the basic reasons which I was given. I was not happy about it, and, as I have said, we have now reduced the time by four months.