§ Lord Molloyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied that the Post Office is committed to maintaining its network of rural sub-post offices.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Reay):The prime objective of the Post Office and the Government is to ensure that the needs of the Post Office's customers are met as fully as possible. The Government have made clear on a number of occasions that we remain fully committed to the maintenance of a network of post offices adequate to enable the Post Office to fulfil its statutory duty to have regard to economy and efficiency, and to the social, commercial and industrial needs of the United Kingdom. We are satisfied that in managing its network of post offices, including those in rural areas, the Post Office is fully meeting these obligations.