HC Deb 28 November 2002 vol 395 cc449-51W
Mr. Coleman

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Post Office has to close(a) main post offices and (b) sub post offices in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham; and if she will make a statement. [84040]

Mr. Timms

The programme to restructure the urban post office network has only just started and is being taken forward in consultation with individual sub-postmasters, the community, Members of Parliament, other local stakeholders and Postwatch in accordance with the Code of Practice. There is no pre-determined output and (b) employment in the manufacturing sector in each of the last five years were in each region of the UK; [83922]

(2) if she will make a statement on changes in the size of the manufacturing sector in the UK in the last five years; [83919]

(3) what the level of (a) manufacturing output and (b) employment in the manufacturing sector in the North West were for each of the last five years. [83921]

Alan Johnson

The available information is given in the following tables

closure list. Under the code, Post Office Ltd. is required to consult Postwatch and other interested parties on its specific proposals for change.

The objective of the urban network restructuring programme is to ensure that ad hoc closures which would leave gaps in the network are prevented. It is envisaged that the restructured urban network will provide modernised and improved facilities which meet customers' needs and expectations and are in the right location for the local community.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations her Department has received from the Post Office regarding the relocation of the main Elgin Post Office in the constituency of Moray; if she will seek clarification on the future location of this post office; and if she will make a statement. [84003]

Mr. Timms

The Department has received no representations about the relocation of the main Elgin Post Office. Decisions on the location or relocation of individual post offices are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. Any proposal to relocate a post office is subject to consultation with the local community under the Code of Practice agreed between Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch.