Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Angela Watkinson (Conservative). It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Thursday, 30 November 2006 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Post Office Network

Question: What plans he has to safeguard the long-term future of the post office network.

Answer: I apologise on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who is not able to answer questions today because he is on a trade trip to China. He has notified colleagues on the Opposition Front Benches. The Government have invested more than £2 billion since 1999 in the post office network, because we know that post offices are an important part of British life, particularly in rural and deprived urban areas. We will announce shortly our proposals to ensure a long-term stable footing for a continued national post office network.

Secondary information