To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions were held with the Post Office on the timing of the issue of recommendations on post office closures prior to the announcement of dates by the Post Office; on what date he was made aware by the Post Office of the proposed dates for publication of proposals for post office closures under the various area plans; and on what date he first discussed the question of purdah with the Post Office. (175662)

Following publication in May 2007 of the Government’s response to the public consultation on the Post Office network, my officials have engaged in regular discussions with Post Office Ltd. on the timetable for post office closures, including purdah.