To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether Post Office Ltd. has negotiated agreements with suppliers of goods or services which do not allow all branches to sell those products. (155444)

[holding answer 17 September 2007]: The negotiation of agreements with suppliers of goods and services is a matter for Post Office Ltd. and the suppliers, who will seek to determine the most effective way of delivering those products and services. Post Office Ltd. provide more than 170 different products and services and the vast majority are available across the national network of post office branches and many services are also now available through the internet or to order over the phone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether the Post Office expects to publish information relating to the intention of sub-postmasters to leave the network during the local area plan consultation. (155445)

[holding answer 17 September 2007]: The Post Office network transformation programme is required to meet the Government's access criteria and ensure a sustainable national network for the future. The programme will also consider the availability of public transport, alternative access to key services, local geography, local demographics and the impact on local economies. Closure decisions will not be determined by sub-postmasters' preferences though there will be cases where there is a strategic fit between a closure proposal and the sub-postmaster’s wish to leave the network. As such, this will not form part of the information provided during the local area plan consultation. Information on branches proposed for closure will be provided by Post Office Ltd and this will be displayed on posters in branches and also available on the Post Office Ltd website.