Post Office chairman Julie Edge MHK has refused to give a commitment that it will advertise to replace sub-postmasters when they give notice of quitting.

It comes as the sub-post office in Ballasalla, which is operated out of the village newsagent’s shop, faces closure.

A final decision has yet to be taken by the Post Office board. It would be the latest in a number of sub-post office closures in recent years if it goes ahead.

In Tynwald this week, Ms Edge was called on to commit to advertising for new sub-postmasters when incumbents give notice.

Tim Baker (Ayre and Michael) asked her if she would commit to advertising ’sub-postmaster positions when they become available - yes or no’.

She replied: ’No.’

Post Office bosses are proposing to close the counter service in the village and replace it with a self-service kiosk.

It says the sub-post office is not commercially viable and residents could use Castletown sub-post office instead.

When the Ballasalla sub-post master resigned, the position was not advertised.

In Tynwald this week Ms Edge urged any business or person with an interest in running a sub-post office service in the village, to make contact via the consultation.

She said no final decision had been taken on whether to close the sub-post office permanently.

’We are out to consultation,’ she said. ’We will make a final decision at the board, which is meeting on January 30.’

Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew) called for ’fast-track’ measures to be put in place to ensure the position could be advertised straight away should the board decide to attempt to keep the sub-post office open.

Ballasalla is in his constituency.

Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey) cast doubt on the claim no final decision had been taken, citing the comments from Post Office chiefs that the sub-post office was not commercially viable.

And Mr Baker said: ’The chairman of the Post Office welcomes expressions of interest, from anybody who might be interested, but does not actually want to go out and seek any expressions of interest, in case anybody was interested, because it will undermine the board’s clear strategy to close as many sub-post offices as quickly as possible and to take it back to a minimum footprint.

’They do not see a sub-post office network as part of Isle of Man Post Office, they see it purely as a cost. That is a fundamental mistake.’

Ms Edge said: ’The retail network is loss-making. These are private businesses that are currently operating them.

’Anybody who has in an interest in the Ballasalla post office, they need to be responding to the consultation.’

She insisted she was aware of the social value that people put on the role of a post office in a community.

Public meetings saw strong opposition to the closure.

Anyone wishing to respond to the proposal can do so by emailing [email protected] or by post: PO Box 82, c/o Ballasalla Service Changes, Douglas, IM99 1EB.