§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, when he next meets the chairman of the Post Office, he will discuss the retention of sub-post offices in semi-rural areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierThe retention or closure of particular sub-post offices and the overall size of the network are the responsibility of the Post Office board under the considerable powers of autonomy in running its day-to-day affairs granted by the Post Office Act 1969. The Government do not have the power to intervene and would not consider it proper to do so.
Nevertheless, the Government have consistently said that they are committed to the maintenance of an adequate 390W sub-post office network and the Post Office would certainly consult my right hon. Friend if it had plans for major changes to the size or distribution of the network. The recent announcement on the town office network, for example, was discussed with the Government and my right hon. Friend was satisfied that the proposals were consistent both with the corporation's duty as a commercial organisation and with its social obligations. Before any closure is undertaken there is full public discussion through local authorities, the local MP and the Post Office advisory council or chamber of commerce if there is no advisory council. This provides the opportunity for local reaction to be taken into account in reaching a decision.