§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much money has been spent in the last year on supporting rural post offices; [185539]
(2) what plans she has for the funding of the rural post office network after 2006. [185476]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Government have made available £450 million to maintain the rural network up in the first instance until April 2006.
The Cabinet Office Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) report on the future of the post office network recommended that the Postal Services Commission should advise the Government on the main options for the policy framework after 2006. The Government are currently considering that policy advice and will take decisions on the shape of the rural post office network after 2006 in good time to allow for a smooth transition from the current support arrangements.