§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers she has to delay the proposed closure of a post office. [153027]
§ Mr. TimmsNone. 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.
§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recourse is available to users where the Post Office has acted improperly in a proposed closure. [153030]
§ Mr. TimmsDecisions on post office closures are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. Every proposal that the company makes for the permanent closure of a post office branch is subject to public consultation in accordance with the Code of Practice on Post Office Closures and Relocations—agreed between Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch, the consumer watchdog for postal services. Postwatch are consulted on every post office closure proposal before a decision is made and there is every opportunity for those affected by a proposal, and the local MP, to make representations to the company or to Postwatch.
§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Post Office closures there have been in each Northern Ireland constituency in each year since 1997. [150672]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Department does not hold such data and this is a matter that falls within the day-to-day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.