§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she is satisfied with the existing arrangements for consultation by the Post Office and Postwatch on proposed post office closures. [141591]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Government do not have a role in the consultation process for post office closure proposals, which is laid out in the code of practice agreed between Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch. I attach great importance to the role of Postwatch in protecting the interest of customers when any closure is proposed. Final decisions on closure, after consideration of representations received, are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd.