HC Deb 26 March 2003 vol 402 cc223-4W
Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make it her policy to require all proposals by the Post Office for branch closures which are opposed by Postwatch to be referred to Ministers before a final decision is taken. [104848]

Mr. Timms

[holding answer 25 March 2003]: Decisions on post office closures and relocations are an operational matter for the company. It would be inappropriate for the Government to intervene in determining individual closures. That has been the policy of successive Governments since 1969 when the Post Office was established as a statutory public corporation.

In accordance with the existing Code of Practice on Post Office Closures and Relocations—agreed between Postwatch and Post Office Ltd—Postwatch are consulted on every post office closure proposal before a decision can be made.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will require the Post Office to comply with the request of Postwatch to publish the full plans for the future of post office outlets in Christchurch and Plymouth. [104849]

Mr. Timms

[holding answer 25 March 2003]: There is no predetermined list or arithmetical formula being used to determine how many offices will close in any given area.

In accordance with the existing Code of Practice on Post Office Closures and Relocations—agreed between Postwatch and Post Office Ltd—Postwatch are consulted on every post office closure proposal before a decision can be made. It is for Post Office Ltd and Postwatch to consider whether any wider background information relevant to closure proposals under the urban reinvention programme could be provided.