HC Deb 02 November 2000 vol 355 cc577-8W
20. Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he proposes to take to ensure the maintenance of sub-post office services. [133910]

Mr. Alan Johnson

The Government are committed to maintaining a nationwide network of post offices. That commitment was clearly demonstrated when the Government accepted all 24 recommendations of the PIU report, "Counter Revolution Modernising the Post Office Network", published in June. To implement the proposals contained in the PIU report the Government have been working closely with the Post Office to develop robust business plans to take forward initiatives to safeguard the future of the network.

31. Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the number of sub-post offices that have closed since 1 January. [133921]

Mr. Alan Johnson

Estimates of the number of sub-post offices have not been produced on a calendar or part-year basis by the Post Office in the past and are therefore not available from 1 January to the present. The Post Office Annual Report and Accounts include the numbers of post offices on a financial year basis. In the financial year 1999–2000, there was a net loss of 382 post offices, of which 380 were sub-post offices.

In the light of the Performance and Innovation Unit report on modernising the post office network, the Post Office is revising its methods of collating and reporting information on the network to supply to the Postal Services Commission. The Post Office is currently agreeing with the Commission a process and format for reporting such information quarterly. In the first half of the current financial year, commencing 27 March, there has been a net loss of 333 post offices. The number of rural closures at the half year stage has declined but there has been an increase in the number of town closures (practically all of which have been force majeure). While concerns about the future are undoubtedly a factor, more detailed analysis is taking place to try to identify specific reasons for this change. Due to various factors, including offices closing and reopening within the same financial year, it is not possible to forecast full year figures from quarterly information.

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have closed in each month of the current calendar year, in each region of the UK. [135106]

Mr. Alan Johnson

In the light of the Performance and Innovation Unit report on modernising the post office network, the Post Office is revising its methods of collating and reporting information on the network to supply to the Postal Services Commission. The Post Office is currently agreeing with the Commission a process and format for reporting such information quarterly. In the first two quarters of the current financial year, commencing 27 March, the net closures of sub-post office by the Post Office's internal territorial areas were as follows:

Quarter 1 Quarter 2
North 51 69
West 56 54
East 38 63

Due to various factors, including offices closing and reopening within the same financial year, it is not possible to forecast full-year figures from quarterly information.