HC Deb 11 February 2002 vol 380 cc67-8W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the future of rural post offices. [34007]

Mr. Alexander

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath) on 29 November 2001,Official Report, column 1039W.

Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many grants have been made under the rural post office scheme, broken down by county; and what the total sum paid out to date is. [33615]

Mr. Alexander

The Government have made available a £2 million fund to support volunteer and community initiatives to maintain or reopen post office facilities in rural areas where traditional services would otherwise close. To date, 139 application forms have been despatched and funding has been allocated to seven initiatives as follows:

Amount Area
£13,200 to Capel-le-Ferne, Kent
£1,669 to Goadby Marwood, Leicestershire
£208 to Risbury, Herefordshire
£10,200 to Kirk Ireton, Derbyshire
£3,862 to Coleby, Lincolnshire
£4,000 to Henlow, Bedfordshire
£16,730 to Buriton, Hampshire

£24,928 has been paid out for schemes at Capel Le Ferne, Risbury and Buriton. Further payments will be made following verification of invoices by Post Office Ltd.

Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been made for assistance under the rural post office scheme, broken down by county. [33614]

Mr. Alexander

29 completed applications out of the 139 forms requested to date have been received by Post Office Ltd. for the £2 million fund made available by Government to support volunteer and community initiatives to maintain or reopen post office facilities in rural areas. They are as follows:

  • Capel Le Ferne, Kent
  • Holcombe, Devon
  • Buriton, Sussex
  • Risbury, Herefordshire
  • Kirk Ireton, Derbyshire
  • Struan, Highland
  • Goadby Marwood, Leicestershire
  • Coleby, Lincolnshire
  • South Warnborough, Hampshire
  • Deri, Caerphilly
  • Tavernspite, Pembrokeshire
  • Henstridge, Somerset
  • Wanborough, Wiltshire
  • Ringmer, Sussex
  • Almondbank, Perth and Kinross
  • Acton Trussell, Staffordshire
  • Henlow, Bedfordshire
  • Bernisdale, Higland
  • Winteringham, Lincolnshire
  • Milford, Staffordshire
  • Lubenham, Leicestershire
  • Dawlish Warren, Devon
  • Tortington, Sussex.
  • Laxay, Western Isles
  • Folkingham, Lincolnshire.
  • Bewcastle, Cumbria
  • Ollaberry, Shetland Islands
  • Standon, Staffordshire
  • Bowden, Borders.

Project from Norfolk have yet to reply.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the annual pre tax profits of the Post Office were in each year from 1980 to date; and how much was made over to the Treasury in each year. [34278]

Mr. Alexander

I refer my hon. Friend to the published reports and accounts of the Post Office for the figures from 1998 onwards, and to the Trade and Industry Committee Third report on the Post Office (97-98 session) for the figures from 1982 to 1997.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received on the future of the Post Office network. [34009]

Mr. Alexander

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry receives representation from numerous sources. The Government are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices.