Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 30 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 April 2004. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Monday, 19 April 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment she has made of Post Office Limited's (a) support for the vulnerable and (b) action to maintain post offices as focal points for communities during the Network Reinvention Programme for 2003 and 2004 to date. - Inc figure.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of Post Office Limited's (a) support for the vulnerable and (b) action to maintain post offices as focal points for communities during the Network Reinvention Programme for 2003 and 2004 to date. [165339] Mr. Timms: The Network Reinvention programme is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. There is a public consultation process agreed between the company and Postwatch and local communities are consulted before final decisions are taken. The needs of the elderly, the disabled and those on lower incomes are carefully considered. At the end of the programme, over 95 per cent. of the urban population nationally will still live within one mile of a post office and the majority within half a mile.

Secondary information