Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 21 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 February 2004. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 February 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 has been made of the adequacy of the Urban Reinvention Programme's consultation process for closure proposals.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the Urban Reinvention Programme's consultation process for closure proposals. [150816] Jacqui Smith: Recent experience of the programme has shown that there is a clear need for Post Office Ltd. to respond promptly to issues raised during the consultation and to explain its decisions more fully. The Government has impressed on the company the urgent need to improve its performance on this aspect of the programme. There is also an escalation procedure agreed between Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch for handling disputed proposals which can be applied in the small number of cases where Postwatch opposes the closure proposal.

Secondary information