Written question asked by Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Vadera (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 November 2008.

Post Offices

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What value they attach to local post offices serving communities other than through the provision of traditional post office services; and to what extent this value is taken into account when the Post Office reviews the post office network in each area.

Answer: The Government fully recognise that the important social and economic role of post offices in the communities they serve can, according to individual circumstances, extend beyond the provision of post office services to the range of associated retail facilities which may be offered alongside post office services. Accordingly in developing its Network Change programme proposals for local consultation, Post Office Ltd has considered a range of socio-economic factors including the impact of a proposal on the local economy.

Secondary information