HC Deb 16 January 2002 vol 378 cc336-7W
Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to offer payments to sub-postmasters in compensation for giving up the right to offer post office services. [27630]

Mr. Alexander

In line with the Performance and Innovation Unit's report, my Department has agreed in principle to support the compensation package, negotiated between Post Office Ltd. and the National Federation of Subpostmasters, for sub-postmasters affected by Post Office Ltd.'s proposed restructuring programme for the urban network. Discussions on the overall funding of the restructuring programme are continuing.

Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the number of sub-post offices which are economically viable. [27631]

Mr. Alexander

These matters were addressed in the PIU report in 2000, and in line with its recommendations, the Government are working on a range of measures with Post Office Ltd. and the National Federation of Subpostmasters to Modernise and strengthen the viability of the network.