§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) rural and (b) non-rural post offices closed in (i) the last 12 months for which figures are available and (ii) 2000. [159447]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 27 April 2001]: I am informed by the Post Office that, subject to final verification, a net total of 112 urban offices and 435 rural offices closed in year ending 26 March 20011. Of the closures in the year, only four are permanent.
The primary reason for temporary closures is the retirement of sub-postmasters.
In addition, 123 rural and 46 urban offices reopened in the year. Also, subject to final verification, net closures in the final quarter of the year ending 26 March 2001 were 113.
This indicates a significant downward trend in post office closures compared with the third quarter when net closures were 135 and the first half of the year when closures were running at a rate of 150 per quarter.
This means that during the period April 2000 to March 2001, in the first half of the year net closures were running at 300 whereas in the final half of the year closures were 17 per cent. lower at 248.
Figures for the calendar year 2000 are not available. The Post Office is currently finalising with the Postal Services Commission a process and format for reporting information on the post office network on a quarterly basis with effect from the current financial year.
1 Based on the Post Office's traditional definition of rural offices as those serving communities with under 6,300 residents.