Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 November 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 December 1997. It was answered by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Monday, 1 December 1997 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what is the policy of her Department in respect of the closure of (a) main and (b) sub-post offices.

Answer: Mr. Cox: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the policy of her Department in respect of the closure of (a) main and (b) sub-post offices. [18163] Mr. Ian McCartney: The Government are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices. We cannot guarantee that no post office will ever close or relocate for operational or other reasons, as over 95 per cent. of the network is made up of small businesses. At my request, the Post Office, in May, suspended its programme of converting Crown post offices to agency status until the review of the Post Office is complete and we are in a position to make informed decisions.

Secondary information