Government is committed to a new Post Office in Paget, PLP Paget West candidate George Scott insisted yesterday.

But UBP rival Patricia Gordon Pamplin hit back that the Post Office was "a done deal and we were set to build it.'' And she said: "The new Government removed the money from the Budget -- now it seems they have found some magical money somewhere.

"When they removed the money from the Budget, they didn't appear to place a high priority on Paget West.

"Now they're fighting an unexpected by-election there seems to be money appearing.'' But Mr. Scott said the area could have cash set aside for a new building in next year's Budget.

Mr. Scott said: "There is money set aside for the plans -- either for the area where the Post Office is at present or somewhere else.'' The previous Government bought a piece of land between Modern Mart and Trimingham's on Paget's South Road.

Mr. Scott said: "It seems like it just fell by the wayside -- the present money is put aside in the Works and Engineering budget to decide what exactly is going to happen, whether it's going to be on the present site or around the corner.'' But Mrs. Gordon Pamplin said: "They seem to be going over old ground -- literally. The site where it exists is wholly inadequate.

"It seemed it was put on the back burner and now it's back on the front burner.'' The current Post Office, just past the junction of South Road and Middle Road, has been the subject of complaints for some time.

The cramped site does not offer much parking and questions have been raised over road safety.

But Mr. Scott said: "It's something we're seeking to come to a conclusion on.'' Mr. Scott was speaking as voters went to the polls in an advance vote for people who will be overseas on the official March 31 voting day.

He added that another issue he was concerned about was children arriving by bus from the west to attend the Gilbert Institute Primary School.

Mr. Scott said there no sidewalk on the opposite side of the road from the school and no safe place for youngsters to cross the busy main road.

He added: "In my canvassing, what has come up is the matter of a crossing there.'' Voting in the advance poll was reported as slow, with an estimated 30-odd people exercising the option to vote in advance.

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