To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what methods will be used to determine those post offices which will qualify for the closure compensation package being offered should more than 2,500 post offices apply. (134208)

Following the Government’s final decisions, it will be for Post Office Ltd. to develop local area plans for proposals for closures and other changes in service provision on a strategic basis within the framework set by Government. As outlined in the consultation document the closure programme will be a compulsory scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his most recent estimate is of the number of post offices which will close. (134209)

As outlined in the Government’s proposals, compensated closures will be limited to a maximum of 2,500 post offices nationally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the reasons are for the deferral of publication of the Government's conclusions on the response to the consultation on the closures within the Post Office network. (134210)

The Department received over 2,500 responses to the public consultation which formally closed on 8 March. We are giving full consideration to the comments submitted and hope to be in a position to announce final decisions in May.