To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has (a) made and (b) evaluated of the potential effects on remaining post offices as a result of the Post Office Ltd. closure programme; and if he will make a statement. (163780)

It is expected that business migrating from offices which close will improve the viability of remaining post offices. Post Office Ltd's local decisions will need to reflect the Government's aim of supporting a national network of post offices and to comply with the access criteria requirements set by Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans his Department has to provide extra capacity at post offices that act as alternative branches under Post Office Ltd. closure programme; and if he will make a statement. (163781)

This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked Alan Cook, managing director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations his Department has made to Post Office Ltd. on taking account of future population and demographic projections in plans for post office closures; and if he will make a statement. (163783)

The Government have made a requirement on Post Office Ltd to meet a number of minimum access criteria, and in applying the criteria Post Office Ltd will be required to consider local demographics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if his Department will make representations to Post Office Ltd. on taking into account deprivation at local government ward level when considering post office closures; and if he will make a statement. (163784)

The Government recognise the important social and economic role of the network. The requirement on Post Office Ltd. to meet a number of minimum access criteria includes additional protections for deprived urban areas and remote rural communities, to ensure people have reasonable access across the whole country.