§ Sarah TeatherTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the Government's Post Office 685W Modernisation Fund has been spent in Brent since the fund was initiated; and how much has been spent to (a) keep post offices open and (b) to encourage closures. [172821]
§ Mr. TimmsRationalisation is necessary in urban areas where there are too many post offices for all of them to survive on the current levels of business available. Parliament has approved funding of up to £210 million to support Post Office Ltd.'s programme to restructure the urban post office network comprising £180 million to compensate sub-postmasters exiting the business and £30 million for investment in modernising offices.
The administration of the restructuring programme is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member on how much has been utilised in Brent.