§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the sum allocated in the Comprehensive Spending Review to preserve the post office network will be spent; how much has been spent in 2000–01; and how much will be spent in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [25372]
§ Mr. Alexander[holding answer 11 January 2002]: In the Comprehensive Spending Review 2000, £270 million was allocated to Modernise and sustain the post office network over the three years 2001–02 to 2003–04. Of this, £15 million over three years was allocated to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to help sustain and improve post offices in deprived urban areas. A total of £35 million over three years has been set aside to pilot the concept of post offices as Government General Practitioners. The balance of the 423W funding is allocated to supporting the restructuring of the urban network and to providing transitional financial assistance to rural post offices.
In the current financial year, up to £25 million has been committed to funding of the cost of the Government General Practitioner "Your Guide" pilot currently running in Leicestershire and Rutland. The phasing of expenditure on the other planned schemes and initiatives over the spending review period will be determined in the light of the detailed arrangements for implementation as they are finalised.