To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will publish the names of the 2,500 post offices likely to be closed under the closure programme. (140703)

I have been asked to reply.

On 17 May my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the Government’s response to public consultation on the Post Office network.

Now that the Government have announced their decisions it will be for Post Office Ltd. to strategically develop the network through 50 to 60 local area implementation plans over the next 18 months.

Following initial input from sub-postmasters, Postwatch and local authorities these plans will include closure proposals which will then be put to local consultations ahead of final decisions.