HC Deb 17 July 1989 vol 157 cc20-1W
Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, for County Durham, he will list those Crown post offices(a) closed and (b) downgraded to sub-office status in the last five years; and if he will list those proposed for either outcome in the future.

Mr. Forth

These are operational questions for the Post Office board. However, I understand that it proposes to convert Seaham, Houghton-le-Spring and Crook crown offices into sub-offices in October this year. No crown offices have been either closed or converted in County Durham during the last five years.

Mr. Boateng

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has received a request from the chairman and chief executive of the Post Office to relieve him from the duty to collect mail in the London borough of Brent.

Mr. Forth

I have received no such request.

Mr. Boateng

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the operation of the Post Office's monopoly on the collection of mail from sub-post offices in the London borough of Brent.

Mr. Forth

The Post Office's monopoly is a privilege that applies in the whole of the United Kingdom. Its day-to-day operations are a matter of the Post Office itself.

Mr. Boateng

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he last met the chairman and chief executive of the Post Office; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Forth

The Chancellor of the Duchy meets the chairman of the Post Office regularly, and last did so on June 27. A range of matters of current interest was discussed.