To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effects of proposed post office closures on the local communities in London where post offices have been proposed for closure; and if he will make a statement. (162551)

It is not possible to say which offices will close until Post Office Ltd has drawn up implementation plans and local consultations have taken place. However when developing detailed area plans with input from Postwatch, local authorities and sub-postmasters, Post Office Ltd will take into account the need to meet the national access criteria as well as local geography and factors such as availability of public transport, alternative access to key post office services, local demographics and the impact on local communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the annual savings are that are anticipated to accrue to the Post Office from those post offices so far proposed for closure, broken down by (a) each post office area and (b) each proposed closure. (163839)

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.