§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the redundancy terms for counter staff of Crown post offices; and when were these last reviewed.
§ Mr. LeighThe terms of employment and, where appropriate, redundancy, offered to the employees of Post Office Counters Limited are operational matters for the Post Office.
§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average conversion ratio of Crown post offices to agencies for all the English counties; and what is the ratio in the Isle of Wight. if proposals take effect.
§ Mr. LeighThe Post Office's Crown Office regrading programme is an operational matter for the Post Office board and I understand that the information requested is not available in the precise form requested. However, the Post Office tells me that since the start of the Crown office regrading programme in April 1989 to the end of September 1991, 390 offices have been regraded nationwide, out of a total of 1,493. In April 1989 there were eight Crown offices on the Isle of Wight, of which one had been converted to agency status by the end of September 1991. A second conversion is proposed upon the appointment of a suitable agent. I also understand that conversions to agency status are not carried out on a ratio basis as each case is carefully considered on its merits with the needs of the Post Office's customers uppermost in the Post Office's mind.