To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he plans to take to ensure continuity and consistency in monitoring the provision of Post Office services during the introduction of new national access criteria on behalf of consumers whilst Postwatch is merged into the National Consumer Council. (137745)

We recognise the importance of ensuring that the role Postwatch will play in relation to post office network change is not adversely affected by the establishment of the new National Consumer Council. Work is being carried out to determine what arrangements should be put in place to ensure that that does not happen. Postwatch is involved in these discussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the regional (a) council members and (b) committees of Postwatch are expected to play a role in monitoring the implementation of new national access criteria to post offices for the duration of the programme. (137746)

Post Office Ltd and Postwatch have reached agreement on the role of the Consumer Council during local consultations on area plans, and it is expected that regional council members and committees will be involved in the development of area plans and subsequent local consultations.