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Postal Services Bill [HL]

These amendments raise some very important questions about what sort of network of access points will be maintained under the new regime. The importance of an access point is unrelated to the number of users who rely on it. The lack of alternatives to the universal postal service, especially in rural areas, makes those access points critical. The idea of the noble Lord, Lord Cotter, of assessing a proper network by means of postcodes is interesting, but I think I would prefer to see the UK-wide network safeguarded by ensuring that Ofcom keeps the importance of rural access points in mind. I hope that the Minister will reassure us that there will be no pressure to cut costs by getting rid of services in far-flung regions. The amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Clarke, also mentions post offices. As amendments we tabled to Part 1 showed, we are completely in support of maintaining the current post office network, and if possible even reopening some of the post offices that have recently been closed under this Government. Having said that, I am not convinced that the post office network should be protected through regulation by Ofcom. We feel that it should be a matter for the Secretary of State, and we will certainly return to this issue on Report.