Post Office Closures (Hansard, 21 November 1984)

§ 8. Mr. Wareing
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the Post Office's proposals on post office closures; what percentage has been unfavourable; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Pattie
We have received many representations, all unfavourable, about the Post Office's proposals. We have explained to those who have written that proposals to close particular offices are an operational matter for the Post Office, and the Government have no power to intervene.

§ Mr. Wareing
The Minister's answer was what I thought it would be. Is he aware that 775 retired pensioners in my constituency will lose the services of the Maiden lane sub-post office? On the whole these people do not own a car, nor do they have a bank account. Commercial criteria are not sufficient for dealing with these problems. Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that there is further consultation with those in the area and in other areas? Will he ensure also that there is a stay of execution until there is proper consultation between the Post Office and those whom the Post Office is there to serve?

§ Mr. Pattie
I am aware that the hon. Gentleman attended a meeting with the chairman of the north-west region of the Post Office, to which other hon. Members representing Liverpool constituencies were invited. I understand that the chairman undertook to review the Maiden lane matter and to report back urgently. However, I must repeat that particular closures are operational matters for the Post Office. The criteria are long standing and have operated for many years. The criteria for the distances between post offices in urban areas have operated for a long time.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
Does my hon. Friend agree that because the Post Office is a nationalised monopoly it is far from operating for the convenience of its consumers? Why cannot more competition be introduced? For example, why cannot postage stamps be sold more widely than in post offices, thus avoiding many of the difficulties caused by the closure of sub-post offices?

§ Mr. Pattie
I note what my hon. Friend says. I think he will accept that at present, with the Post Office counter service under stress because of the strike at the Department of Health and Social Security office, I would not wish to entertain such suggestions.

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
Does the Minister accept that his response to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) was disappointing? He seems to have no understanding of the real difficulties that will be caused to pensioners and many others. Examples in my constituency are the Old Trafford and Moss lane post offices. There is a feeling that the Post Office has not given adequate consideration to people's needs in those areas. Will the Minister consider the matter once again?

§ Mr. Pattie
It is not for me to consider the matter once again. The hon. Gentleman should see the chairman of the Post Office. I am sure that the chairman would be happy 289 to see him. He should make representations to the chairman on what is an operational matter for the Post Office Board.

§ Sir Dudley Smith
Is my hon. Friend aware that the post office is nearly always the focal point of any village? Despite what he has already said, will he use his undoubted influence and residual powers to impress on the Post Office Board that the more post offices are retained in villages, the less chance there is that the villages will wither away?

§ Mr. Pattie
The exchanges in the House will be noted by the chairman of the Post Office, and I am glad to add what my hon. Friend describes as my "residual powers" to bring the matter further to the attention of the chairman.

§ Mr. Williams
In his initial reply the Minister mentioned the deep concern of the public. Will he confirm that that concern is expressed particularly on behalf of pensioners and the disabled? He said that he had no powers to stop the Post Office doing what it intends to do, but will he, in his sponsoring role, immediately consult the chairman of the Post Office and express his concern, or are he and the Government utterly insensitive to the needs of the least mobile groups in our society?

§ Mr. Pattie
Of course, that is not so. I have had frequent discussions with the chairman of the Post Office Board on that and other matters. The closure programme has been halted, as the right hon. Gentleman will be aware, because of the additional difficulties caused by the DHSS dispute at Newcastle.