Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Harriett Baldwin and Norman Lamb

Thursday 24th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

4. What recent progress he has made on securing the future of the Post Office network.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Norman Lamb)]

Significant progress has been made on securing the future of the post office network. In particular, Post Office Ltd has become an independent company, with its own strengthened board; signed a long-term agreement with Royal Mail, cementing their commercial relationship for the next 10 years; won new contracts from central and local government; and achieved greater network stability, with net closures of just two post offices in the year to March 2012, which is the lowest figure for 25 years.

[Harriett Baldwin]

Will the Minister congratulate villagers from Alfrick in my constituency, who have raised £60,000 in a community share offering and found 60 volunteers to reopen the community post office? However, does he agree that asking each of those 60 pillars of their community to go through a Criminal Records Bureau check is a little excessive?

[Norman Lamb]

I absolutely congratulate the villagers who have managed to achieve that. I have seen a similar story in Norfolk, and it is a fantastic community spirit that manages to achieve that. I tend to agree that asking every volunteer in the village to undergo a CRB check seems over the top.