§ 55. Mr. AmosTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on what directions he has given to the Post Office on the future level of provision of post offices in rural areas.
§ Mr. ForthNone; decisions on the appropriate level of service provision in particular areas are an operational matter for the Post Office chairman and board. As far as the general extent of the network is concerned, we have made it clear on a number of occasions that the Government remain committed to a network of offices adequate to enable the Post Office to fulfil its statutory duty to have regard to economy and efficiency and to the social, industrial and commercial needs of the United Kingdom.