HC Deb 30 July 1980 vol 989 c725W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the organisations representative of industry and commerce consulted prior to his statement on the Post Office service cuts on 16 July.

Mr. Michael Marshall

My right hon. Friend made no statement on Post Office service cuts on 16 July.

Those consulted on the postal monopoly were assured that the consultations would be confidential and it would be inappropriate to identify individual bodies consulted. The 10 industrial and commercial organisations which responded represented a wide spectrum of such interests.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many post offices he has visited officially since 3 May 1979.

Mr. Michael Marshall

None, but my hon. Friend the Minister of State and I have visited sorting offices to see postal operations at first hand.