§ Mr. FearnTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to stop proposed Post Office Counters Ltd. franchise transfers, with special reference to Southport general post office. [835]
§ Ian McCartneyIn announcing on 16 May a comprehensive review of options for implementing the Government's election manifesto pledge to grant the Post Office greater commercial freedom, I also announced that, at my request, the Post Office had agreed to suspend its programme of converting Crown post offices to agency status—except where irreversible commitments already exist—until we are in a position to make informed decisions. The proposal to convert the Crown post office in Southport has been suspended.