§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will set out the timetable for(a) testing and (b) installing the software systems for operating the new Post Office card accounts. [86211]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 9 December 2002]: These are matters that fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Post Office will advise about banking services at Post Offices. [86558]
§ Mr. TimmsPost Office Ltd. currently provides information to customers on banking arrangements at Post Office branches.
The Government and Post Office Ltd. are working together to ensure that frontline staff have all the information they need to answer any questions from customers about banking facilities in Post Office branches.
Post Office Ltd. has now sent three pieces of communication to all Post Office branches: a leaflet entitled "Your essential guide to your customers' banking options" to explain to sub-postmasters all the options available to customers; a customer child benefit leaflet for issue to customers; and, a Banking Information Pack. I am informed that all have received positive feedback from sub-postmasters.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices are being run by modified sub-postmasters, working on(a) short-term, (b) temporary contracts and (c) long-term contracts; and if she will make a statement; [88041]
152W
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 19 December 2002]: These are matters that fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.
§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 16 December 2002,official Report, columns 542–43W, on post offices, when she expects the first proposals for closures to be announced. [88476]
§ Mr. TimmsI understand from Post Office Ltd. that the first proposals for post office closures under the urban reinvention programme went out to public consultation under the Code of Practice in respect of 25 offices on 29 November, followed by closure proposals for a further 32 offices on 16 December.