§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any research or experiments have been undertaken by his Department on the possible use of post offices for other additional public services.
§ Mr. TrippierIn 1981 an interdepartmental working group, chaired by the Department of Industry examined the possibilities, including those put forward by the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, for additional post and sub-post office counter business to offset business which was expected to be lost over a number of years as a result of proposed changes in methods of paying social security benefits.
In 1982, following discussions with the Post Office, consents were issued under section 7 of the Post Office Act 1969 to permit work to be undertaken at Post Office counters for a number of public bodies including the National Bus Company and British Rail.
More recently a working party was established, chaired by the Department of Trade and Industry and involving the Post Office and Government Departments, among other things to keep under review on a continuing basis the prospects for increased counter business from Government Departments, other public bodies and from within the Post office itself.