To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the re-opening of Post Office branches in areas in which such branches had closed. (290340)

Government policy is to maintain a sustainable nationwide network of around 11,500 post offices and in 2007 committed funding to 2011 in support of this policy. Decisions on the opening or re-opening of individual post office branches are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. The company has an established framework for dialogue with local authorities and community groups interested in funding continued service provision where a branch has closed. In such circumstances, Post Office Ltd will need to ensure that this does not adversely affect the viability of the local network of post offices.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many Post Office branches are required to meet his Department’s access criteria for Post Office branches. (290341)

Post Office Ltd. estimates that the minimum size of network necessary to meet the access criteria is around 7,500 offices but it is Government policy to maintain a sustainable network of around 11,500 post offices. The £1.7 billion funding package announced in May 2007 supports the network at that level to 2011 and the Government recognise that there will be a continuing need for network subsidy payments beyond 2011.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the Government has had recent discussions with Post Office Limited on future numbers of Post Office branches. (290342)

Ministers have regular discussions with Post Office Ltd. about a wide range of issues including network size. Government policy is to maintain a sustainable nationwide network of around 11,500 post offices and the Government have stated that they will not support a future programme of closures.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the use of Post Office services by Government departments. (290427)

The Government are keen for the Post Office to develop their Government Services work and have an established mechanism for aiding this through a cross-Whitehall committee chaired by the Secretary of State for Business. The Government have shown their commitment to using the Post Office to provide services for Government through the award of the Post Office Card Account contract in November 2008, as well as the deal in March 2009 with the DVLA to allow the capture of biometric data (photographs and signatures) for the 10-year renewal of driving licences at 750 Post Offices around the country.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) Crown post offices, (b) full branches, (c) mobile outreach services, (d) hosted outreach services, (e) partner services and (f) home services branches there are in the Post Office branch network. (291738)

I have asked Alan Cook, managing director of Post Office Ltd., to respond directly to the right hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many Post Office branches that have closed temporarily since the end of the Network Change Programme have (a) re-opened with the same hours, (b) re-opened with reduced hours, (c) re-opened with increased hours, (d) not yet re-opened, (e) been replaced by an outreach service and (f) been closed permanently. (291739)

The Department does not hold the information requested. I have therefore asked Alan Cook, managing director of Post Office Ltd., to respond directly to the right hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in which postcode districts the Post Office branch network does not meet the access criteria adopted under the Network Change Programme. (291740)

I have asked Alan Cook, managing director of Post Office Ltd., to respond directly to the right hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.