HC Deb 07 April 2003 vol 403 cc17-8W
Sue Doughty

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices there are in each parliamentary constituency; and how many of them transact more than 40 per cent. of their work from paying benefits and pensions. [107044]

Mr. Timms

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 9 January 2003,Official Report, column 299W.

Sue Doughty

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) post offices and (b) sub-post offices there were in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) each region in March (A) 1999, (B) 2000, (C) 2001 and (D) 2002. [107045]

Mr. Timms

I understand from Post Office Ltd. that the total numbers of post offices in the United Kingdom and each region/country is only available from March 2000 and are as follows:

Region/Country March 2000 March 2001 March 2002
North East 739 736 726
North West 1,882 1,853 1,848
Yorkshire and Humber 1,583 1,530 1,509
West Midlands 1,479 1,438 1,414
South West 1,926 1,880 1,847
South East 2,267 2,189 2,153
London 1,233 1,225 1,209
East of England 1,706 1,632 1,611

Region/Country March 2000 March 2001 March 2002
East Midlands 1,477 1,420 1,382
Northern Ireland 632 611 605
Scotland 1,999 1,933 1,907
Wales 1,470 1,399 1,373
UK Total 18,393 17,846 17,584