To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, in the light of the hardship caused to customers by the temporary closure of the sub-post office at the Strand, Southchurch road, Southend-on-Sea, he will take steps to ensure that the Post Office be obliged to limit the period of time for which sub-post offices may be closed temporarily.

This is an operational responsibility of the Post Office Board. I have drawn my hon. Friend's observations to the attention of the chairman of the Post Office.