To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices there were in the parliamentary constituency of Bishop Auckland in each year since 1997. (114284)

The question my hon. Friend has asked relates to operational matters for which Post Office Ltd. (POL) is directly responsible. The company has provided the following figures. Figures prior to 2002 are not available.

Information relating to post office branches can be found in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how local communities will be consulted on individual instances of proposed post office closures. (114422)

Her Majesty's Government will make final decisions on the future of the post office network following national public consultations. Post Office Ltd. will then develop detailed area proposals on which there will be local consultations. Precise arrangements for these will be determined in due course.