§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Industry when the Report of the Post Offices Review Committee will be published; and what action he then proposes to take.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe report of the committee chaired by Mr. George Carter was presented to Parliament yesterday and published today. Copies are now available in the Vote Office. The Government wish to provide a full opportunity for consideration of the issues raised in the report, both for Parliament and in the country as a whole. We are inviting the comments of those with a major interest and should also welcome comments from anyone who has a contribution to make. These should be addressed to Miss Fisher, Posts and Telecommunications Division, Waterloo Bridge House, Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UA, and should reach her not later than 1st December. My right hon. Friend would propose to publish the Government's conclusions in the form of a White Paper after comments have been received and appropriate consultations have taken place.
My right hon. Friend has already placed on record his thanks to Mr. Carter and to the other members of the committee for all the hard work they have done and for the speed with which they have produced their report. The report raises important issues affecting the future of the Post Office and the Government will give it the most careful study before decisions are taken.