§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what proposals he has to privatise Post Office Counters Ltd;
(2) what preparations Post Office Counters Ltd. is making for privatisation;
(3) what representations he has received concerning the re-establishment of a sub-post office at Newhill, near Rotherham; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what is his policy on the provision of sub-post offices.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 8 May 1991]: The Government have made it clear on a number of occasions that we remain fully committed to the maintenance of a network of post offices adequate to enable the Post Office 597W to fulfil its statutory duty to have regard to economy and efficiency, and to the social, commercial and industrial needs of the United Kingdom. I am satisfied that in managing its network of post offices the Post Office is fully meeting these obligations.
We have at present no plans for the privatisation of the Post Office. Girobank has been successfully transferred to the private sector, but no other decisions have been taken.
It has been the policy of successive Governments since the establishment of the Post Office as a public corporation in 1969 that decisions concerning aspects of the day-to-day running of the postal business, such as those relating to the level of service provision available in particular areas, are the operational responsibility of the Post Office Board. The Government's role in Post Office matters is confined to broad issues of general policy and to matters of overall control.
I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received no representations concerning the re-establishment of a sub-post office at Newhill, Rotherham.