HC Deb 08 July 1987 vol 119 cc336-8
2. Mr. Matthew Taylor

asked the Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on the future of the sub post office network.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. John Butcher)

Since the election we have received one inquiry on this topic from an hon. Member on behalf of a constituent. Nevertheless, we are well aware that there is widespread interest in the sub post office network and we are in no doubt about the importance and value of sub post offices and the high regard in which they are held.

Mr. Taylor

Bearing in mind the importance of the sub post office network to rural communities such as my own in Cornwall, will the Minister assure my constituents who are doubtless worried by the flotation of ideas about privatisation of post office services, that sub post offices will continue to be agents for the payment of benefits and pensions, and also car licence fees, and thus remain economically viable?

Mr. Butcher

Yes. I reiterate our commitment. In providing its services the Post Office has a statutory duty to have regard to economy, efficiency and the social needs of the United Kingdom. We have consistently stated our commitment to the maintenance of a network of sub post offices adequate to enable the Post Office to fulfil its statutory duties. That commitment stands and will be taken fully into account and respected in discussions affecting the Post Office.

Mr. Adley

I welcome my hon. Friend's comments about the invaluable service provided by sub post offices to individual communities. Does he accept, however, that in areas such as south-east Dorset, where there is considerable population growth, there is both a demand for more sub post offices and an understandable feeling among those currently running sub post offices that their revenue may be threatened? In conjunction with the Post Office, will my hon. Friend consider the possibility of increasing the duties that sub post offices may carry out so as to increase their earnings, and especially the possibility of increasing the number that may deal with vehicle licensing?

Mr. Butcher

Yes. I am pleased to respond to my hon. Friend's question. Very much on the agenda is our commitment to seek an early opportunity to extend the powers of the Post Office to enable it to offer a wider range of services in post offices. If those new services are successful, they will help to enhance the viability of the whole network. I am sure that the whole House will welcome that.

Mr. Wigley

May I press the Minister a little further on his earlier reply with regard to the statutory duties of the Post Office? Does he accept that the case for sub post offices goes further than that, as they help to sustain shops and other services in rural areas which could be hard hit if sub post offices were disbanded? Will he therefore increase the range of services and thus the throughput of sub post offices so as to sustain the general wellbeing of rural areas?

Mr. Butcher

The hon. Gentleman is entirely right. We all recognise that sub post offices have a social and community function and a cohesive influence especially in rural areas. As I have said, we hope to be helpful in that regard and to allow them to purvey more services over their counters.

Mr. Harris

I very much welcome my hon. Friend's replies. Does he recognise, however, that some smaller village sub post offices are going through a particularly difficult time and that the Post Office is resisting requests from many of them to deal with vehicle excise licences? Will my hon. Friend seek a meeting with the chairman of the Post Office on this important point and press that more sub post offices be allowed to provide that valuable facility?

Mr. Butcher

We shall bear my hon. Friend's comments about vehicle licensing seriously in mind. I should make it absolutely clear that there is no rural closure programme, although there have been cases in rural areas where the postmaster has retired or resigned and the sub post office has been forced to close because no suitable replacement could be found. However, I will take up the point that my hon. Friend has raised.

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