§ Mr. Woodhouseasked the Postmaster-General by what criteria he judges the need for the establishment of a new sub-post office in an area of increasing population; and whether his criteria are satisfied in respect of the demand for a sub-post office in Kendall Crescent, North Oxford.
§ Mr. BennWe do not normally provide a new post office within a mile of an existing one, but this standard is not applied inflexibly; exceptions are made, for example, in the case of large self-contained housing estates or where the journey to the nearest existing post office is unduly difficult, and there are only infrequent public transport services.
There is already a sub-post office within a mile of Kendall Crescent, Oxford: and I am afraid the circumstances at present are not such that we should be justified,
52Wwhich my predecessor gave to his Questions on this subject on 22nd December.
exceptionally, in providing another in the area. But, as I have assured the hon. Gentleman, we intend to keep the position under review.