HC Deb 05 November 1973 vol 863 cc592-4
7. Mr. Austick

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office to examine the consequences of closing rural sub-post offices.

Sir J. Eden

No, Sir. I am satisfied that the Post Office already takes all relevant factors into account.

Mr. Austick

Is the Minister aware of the resentment which residents in rural areas such as the Low Laithe district of Nidderdale feel about the intransigent attitude of the Post Office when it proposes closures, as it has done recently? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that such decisions are taken without prior consultation with either the post office users or the elected representatives of the people? Will he ask the Chairman of the Post Office to think again about the closures proposed and suspend them so that further thought may be given to this matter?

Sir J. Eden

I am sure the Post Office will take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said. The position of the Post Office is difficult in relation to sub-post offices. Not only do the economic factors have to be considered, but the Post Office recognises the significant social value in the location of many of these offices. Decisions to close such offices are taken with the greatest reluctance.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Will my right hon. Friend pay particular attention to those areas where there is a high concentration of retired people who need post office services?

Sir J. Eden

I am sure that that is a factor which the Post Office would wish to take into account. The fact remains, however, that there are about 22,500 sub-post offices in existence. That number has been reduced at the rate of 3 per cent. over the last 10 years.

Mr. Milne

Will the Minister consider, too, the number of sub-post offices being taken over by housing speculators for housing development? Is he aware that many villages in my constituency, such as Earsdon, Northumberland, lose their sub-post office not because the post office is being closed but because the building is taken over?

Sir J. Eden

No doubt development for housing and other purposes affects the location of sub-post offices.