Question

To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, (a) how many and (b) which hon. Members were consulted about the change in the opening hours of the post office in Members' Lobby.

In response to a Post Office Counters Ltd (POCL) request under its Memorandum of Understanding with both Houses of Parliament, the House of Commons Administration Committee agreed a change to the opening hours of the Post Office counter located in Members Lobby. This change altered the closing time of the counter on Sitting Days from 2200 to 1900.

Because of the timing of the 2017 General Election and the delay in setting up Domestic Committees, the Administration Committee was notified of the change some considerable time after POCL gave notice that it would need to reduce the opening hours for staffing reasons.

The decision was made at the Committee’s meeting on 11 December 2017, and implemented from 8 January 2018. Whilst there was no House-wide consultation with hon. Members, the Committee based its decision around data on usage of the counter facility, ensuring value for money whilst avoiding unnecessary duplication of services.