§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of sub-postmasters' remuneration is accounted for by(a) sale of postal services and (b) payment of benefits. [84058]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyI understand from the Post Office that around 25 per cent. of sub-postmasters' remuneration is accounted for by the sale of postal services and around 35 per cent. is accounted for by the payment of benefits. The remainder of their post office remuneration derives from banking, bill payment and other financial and licensing transactions.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current hourly target rate of remuneration for sub-postmasters. [84057]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneySub-postmasters are not employees of the Post Office but are independent business people who provide post office service on an agency basis.
The Post Office makes payments to sub-postmasters based on the amount of transactions they perform, plus some core payments and allowances. The concept of an hourly rate of remuneration is therefore not applicable.
197WBecause of their contractual position, sub-postmasters are able to—and typically do—operate a private retail business from the same premises as the sub post office. This enables them to gain income from the private business as well as from the post office, whilst sharing overheads.