Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 1 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 March 2004. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Thursday, 4 March 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 the part played by (a) Postwatch and (b) Post Office Limited in the Urban Network Reinvention Programme.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the part played by (a) Postwatch and (b) Post Office Limited in the Urban Network Reinvention Programme. [158594] Mr. Timms: Post Office Ltd.'s urban reinvention programme is essential if a viable and sustainable countrywide post office network is to be maintained and to meet the changing needs of customers. The company will ensure that at the end of the programme, at least 95 per cent. of the population in urban areas will still live within a mile of their nearest post offices. Postwatch has an important role in the programme in examining each individual closure proposals and monitoring the programme overall. I understand that, of some 1,600 closure proposals notified to them, over 200 have been withdrawn, deferred or modified during or after the consultation process. Although the vast majority of urban reinvention closure proposals have attracted little criticism, concerns expressed about the consultation arrangements led me to ask Post Office Ltd. to review the arrangements and to propose changes to make them more inclusive and responsive. These changes were announced in my written statement of 5 February.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 418 c1063W;418 c1079W; 158594
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Post offices Urban areas Royal Mail Consumer Council for Postal Services
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk