§ Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the rural post offices in Shropshire which have closed in each year since 1990. [134321]
§ Mr. TimmsI am advised by Post Office Ltd that data on post office numbers has not been maintained on the basis of County as the company does not require this data for operational reasons. However, I understand that since March 2000 the company has recorded details of post office closures on the basis of Government 19WS Region and in the West Midlands region as a whole, of which Shropshire is a part, the numbers of net closures were as follows:
- 2000–01 = 34
- 2001–02 = 24
- 2002–03 = 35
I understand that Post Office Ltd produces information on post office closures on a quarterly basis. There were 23 net closures of post offices in the West Midlands region to the end of June 2003, the latest quarter for which figures are currently available.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take steps to ensure that the Skegoneill Post Office in North Belfast remains. [134635]
§ Mr. TimmsPost Office Ltd's proposal to close the Skegoneill post office branch has been made under the company's urban reinvention programme.
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.
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, the company enters into consultation on all proposed closures. 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.
§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have closed within the Forest of Dean constituency in(a) each of the last 12 months and (b) the previous five years. [134205]
§ Mr. TimmsI am advised by Post Office Ltd. that data on post office numbers has not been maintained on the basis of local authority areas as the company does not require this data for operational reasons.
§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have closed in Gloucestershire in(a) each of the last 12 months and (b) the previous five years. [134206]
§ Mr. TimmsI am advised by Post Office Ltd. that data on post office numbers has not been maintained on the basis of county as the company does not require this data for operational reasons. However, I understand that since March 2000 the company has recorded details of post office closures on the basis of Government Region and in the West Midlands region as a whole, of which Gloucestershire is a part, the numbers of net closures were as follows:
Number 2000–01 34 2001–02 24 2002–03 35 I understand that Post Office Ltd. produces information on post office closures on a quarterly basis. 20WS There were 23 net closures of post offices in the West Midlands region to the end of June 2003, the latest quarter for which figures are currently available.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will publish the classifications of sub-post offices in the Stroud constituency; and what discussions she has had with individual owners on that classification; [134254]
(2) if she will publish the criteria for the classification of sub-post offices; and what grounds there are for appeal against that classification; [134255]
(3) on what basis Cam Woodfield post office was classified as an urban neighbourhood post office. [134256]
§ Mr. TimmsI have had no such discussions on this issue. This is a matter that falls within the operational responsibilities of Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.