HC Deb 18 April 2002 vol 383 cc1142-3W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice will be given to customers of post offices which are expected to be closed in the restructuring of Post Office Counters networks in respect of where they will be able to receive post office counter services; and if she will make a statement. [48796]

Mr. Alexander

[holding answer 15 April 2002]: The Post Offices objective in restructuring the urban network is to retain and expand its customer base at modernised, improved facilities. Sub-postmasters leaving the network will be encouraged to help achieve this, for example, assisting customers by advising them of the nearest post office and introducing them to services available at the new outlet. Consultation on closure will involve the community, local stakeholders, sub-postmasters and Postwatch.

Under the Code of Practice, Post Office Ltd. are required to consult Postwatch on individual changes and plan to brief them on the process they envisage for reaching decisions.

John Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many agency workers have been involved in delivering mail for the Royal Mail in the past year; [49946]

(2) how many cases of missing contents from post were recorded by the Royal Mail in the last year; of these, how many were investigated; and how many prosecutions were instigated. [49944]

Mr. Alexander

These are matters that falls within the day to day responsibility of Consignia and I have therefore asked the chief executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information she has received from Consignia on the number of proposed closures of post offices in Norfolk. [48990]

Mr. Alexander

[holding answer 16 April 2002]: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. The programme of urban restructuring has not yet begun.