§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce the details of the scheme for assisting rural post offices; what discussions have been held on this, and with whom; and when he expects to report to the House on his conclusions. [145916]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonI have been asked to reply.
In accordance with the recommendations of the performance and innovation unit's report on the future of the post office network, the Postal Services Commission will be advising the Government on the best way to channel financial assistance to rural post offices and issued a discussion document in December. The Commission has been asked to report by the autumn following consultations and discussions with the Consumer Council for Postal Services, the National Federation of Sub-postmasters and other key post office network stakeholders. A report to the House will be made thereafter.