§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the reasons for her decision not to respond to the debate on the future of the Post Office in Her Majesty's Official Opposition time initiated by the Shadow Secretary of State for Industry, the hon. Member for Eddisbury. [148724]
§ Ms HewittEven though the debate was on an opposition motion, no Shadow Cabinet Minister was present on the opposition Front Bench, and there was therefore no automatic need for a Secretary of State to be present. On behalf of the Government, my hon. Friend the Minister for Energy, E-Commerce and Postal Services made an excellent speech.