Post Offices

House of Lords written question – answered at on 8 June 2009.

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Photo of Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer Spokesperson for the Home Office

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Post Offices in communities designated as needing Post Offices under the network change programme have been listed for closure.

To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Kings Stag and Hazelbury Bryan Post Offices in Dorset are due to be closed, contrary to the results agreed following the network change programme consultation.

Photo of Baroness Vadera Baroness Vadera Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Economic Competitiveness and Small Business), Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, Parliamentary Secretary (Economic Competitiveness and Small Business), Cabinet Office

My noble friend the Secretary of State has made clear during the passage of the Postal Services Bill the Government will not support any further programme of Post Office closures. But because 97 per cent of the network is privately owned and operated, neither Government nor Post Office Ltd can commit to maintain an absolute number of offices at any given time.

I understand from Post Office Ltd that the Hazelbury Bryan post office branch was not proposed for closure under the network change programme but will close on 26 May due to the sub-postmaster's resignation. Post Office Ltd is working to find a solution that will continue to maintain a post office presence in the community.

Kings Stag post office was proposed for replacement with an outreach service during the network change programme. Kings Stag post office closed in March and Post Office Ltd is working to establish an outreach service in that area.

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