1 Introduction
1. We have published Reports on the Post Office network
change programme twice so far this year. Our first Report looked
at the progress of the programme, in which the post office network
will be reduced to some 11,500 branches.[1]
Our second commented on the responses to the first Report, and
raised particular concerns about the financial transparency of
Post Office Ltd and Royal Mail Group, its parent company, about
the adequacy of funding for outreach services, and about the relationship
between Post Office Ltd and mail services.[2]
Mail services are currently the subject of two reviews, one run
by Postcomm and the second by an independent panel, chaired by
Richard Hooper. We made the unusual decision to take oral evidence
from Post Office Ltd and Postwatch between publishing a report
and receiving the Government response. This evidence has confirmed
two of our concerns: the costs to Post Office Ltd of delivering
Royal Mail Group services; and the financial support to sub-postmasters
for providing outreach services. We believe it should be drawn
to the attention of the House and the wider public.
1 Third Report of Session 2007-08, Post Office Closure
Programme, HC 292-I Back
2
Sixth Report of Session 2007-08, After the Network Change Programme:
the future of the post office network, HC 577 Back
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