§ 1. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that representations by retirement pensioners have been rejected for installation of a post-box in the Old Hollow and Lower Road area, West Malvern, which is notoriously hilly, thus requiring pensioners to walk considerable distances to the nearest post-box, causing undue strain and fatigue; and whether he will reconsider his decision and instal a postbox at a convenient point in that area of West Malvern.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Joseph Slater)There are posting boxes some 300 yards to the north and south of the area in question. Although there are hills, circumstances generally do not justify the installation of a third posting box in the area, and I am sorry therefore that I cannot do as the hon. Gentleman asks.
§ Sir G. NabarroWill the hon. Gentleman re-examine this position, having regard to the fact that 300 yards for very elderly men and women living in these old people's homes and in a notoriously and extremely hilly district in Malvern represents real hardship, and that many old-age pensioners are just not able physically to struggle to the postbox where he now has it sited?
§ Mr. SlaterI do not know whether the hon. Gentleman is aware of this, but on 6th March, 1967, the West Malvern Road sub-post office, which closed temporarily last October when the sub-postmaster resigned, reopened on a new site only 320 yards from Old Hollow, and 424 the posting box attached to this office was resited from its previous position to a site only 410 yards from the bungalows where the aged people are. There is also another box at the site of the previous sub-post office which is only 300 yards from the bungalows. I have every sympathy with the application of the hon. Gentleman in regard to aged people, but we have to try to reach a position whereby we can keep this within reason.