HC Deb 15 April 2003 vol 404 cc106-7W
Mr. Tom Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post office outlets per head of population there are in(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.[107724]

Mr. Timms

Based on Postcomm's 2001–02 annual report on the post office network, the numbers of post office outlets per 10,000 population (based on 1999 ONS estimates) as at end March 2002 was:

  1. (a) Scotland: 3.73
  2. (b) England: 2.75
  3. (c) Wales: 4.68
  4. (d) Northern Ireland: 3.58

Mr. Grogan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many decisions to close urban post offices have been reversed following the consultation process in each region in the last six months.[109013]

Mr. Timms

Proposals for post office closures under the urban network reinvention programme are put out to public consultation in accordance with the code of practice agreed with Postwatch. Final decisions on closure, after consideration of representations received, are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Grogan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many closures of urban post offices have been approved in each region in the last six months.[109016]

Mr. Timms

Proposals put out to consultation for, and subsequent decisions on, post office closures under the urban network reinvention programme are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to my hon. Friend.