§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have closed under the Urban Reinvention programme; and how many such closures were opposed by Postwatch. [114991]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 21 May 2003]I understand from Post Office Ltd. that, to the end of April 2003, 205 post offices had closed under the urban reinvention programme. I understand from Postwatch that to date they have opposed 23 of the 484 closure proposals which have been put out to public 341W consultation and that, of those 484 proposals, 4 have been withdrawn and a further 9 have been modified in the light of comments made by Postwatch and others at that stage. In addition, at the advance notification to Postwatch stage, 18 closure proposals were withdrawn, and a further 24 modified before reaching public consultation.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many proposed post office closures under the Urban Reinvention programme which were objected to by Postwatch did not take place. [114992]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 21 May 2003]I understand from Post Office Ltd. that to date 4 post office closure proposals under the urban reinvention programme have been withdrawn in the light of representations, including objections from Postwatch, made during the public consultation process. I also understand from Postwatch that 18 closure proposals were withdrawn, and a further 24 modified, at the advance notification stage of the consultation process.