§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what guidance his Department offers to the Post Office regarding the need to avoid disadvantaging businesses when making changes to postal codes; [28739]
(2) what guidance his Department offers to the Post Office regarding the need for consultation of businesses when planning changes to postal codes; [28740]
(3) what action he has taken to ensure that changes to postal codes do not disadvantage small firms. [28741]
(4) what plans he has to ensure that changes to postal codes do not disadvantage small firms. [28742]
§ Mr. Phillip Oppenheim[holding answers 13 May 1996]: Changes to postcodes are an operational matter for the Post Office, which follows consultation procedures agreed with the Post Office Users National Council. Royal Mail is committed to a policy of no change to post codes unless it becomes operationally necessary to do so. To 412W minimise disruption to all customers, Royal Mail has a code of practice which must be followed whenever a post code is to be changed.