HC Deb 13 May 1999 vol 331 cc197-8W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to(a) introduce and (b) modify minimum standards of service for the Post Office, with particular reference to deliveries. [83841]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The targets for the percentages of first class mail delivered the next working day after posting and second class mail delivered within three working days of posting are set by the Post Office in consultation with the Post Office Users' National Council. The targets to achieve first delivery in urban areas by 9.30am and to achieve delivery in rural areas by 2.00pm are set internally by the Post Office.

A key element of the package of Post Office reforms announced last December is the creation of an independent regulator to protect consumers' interests including standards of service. It is also planned to give the Post Office Users' National Council a more central role and increased powers. Together with the other elements of the reform package these changes will ensure that service standards will improve over time. Further details will be set out in a White Paper shortly.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to publish the Post Office White Paper. [83842] Mr. Ian McCartney: It remains my expectation, as I told the Trade and Industry Select Committee on 9 December, that the White Paper will be published in the first half of the year.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) Crown post offices and (b) sub-post offices have shut during the last 12 months. [84055]

Mr. Ian McCartney

I understand from the Post Office that there has been a net reduction of one Crown post office and 232 sub post offices in the 12 months to the end of March 1999.

The Crown office reduction was the net result of merging two nearby offices in London when the opportunity was taken to open a new flagship Crown office in their place.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of sub-post offices is located in rural areas. [84053]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The Post Office classify approximately 50 per cent. of sub-post offices as being in rural areas.