§ Mr. GILLISasked the Postmaster-General whether his predecessor pur- 1229W chased a house at Northallerton, which is known by the name of Bellozanne House, in 1914, with the intention of erecting a modern post office on the. site; whether the use of this ground has been suspended for eight years, despite the very inadequate accommodation offered by the existing office; whether he is aware that the present office is very unhealthy, and is very wasteful of staff owing to its antiquated structure; and whether, seeing that the purchase money for the new site is lying idle, and that fresh expense is constantly incurred for repairs to the old building and for renovation and adaptation to new conditions, he is prepared, in the interests of economy, to press forward with the 1914 scheme, thereby giving the town of Northallerton a head post office suitable for the purpose?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe need for a new Yost Office at Northallerton was recognised before the War; and property was acquired as a site for a new office in 1915. During the War building schemes necessarily fell into arrear, and since then, owing to financial stringency, it has only been practicable to make provision for the most urgent building works. The needs of Northallerton will, however, be kept in view.