Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the compliance of the Post Office with the Code of Practice on Public Consultation and Communication in relation to the relocation of Cowes Post Office.

The provision and location of individual post office branches is the operational responsibility of Post Office Limited.

When the Post Office proposes to relocate a branch it consults locally in line with its Code of Practice, which has been agreed with the UK consumer watchdogs, on the matter before reaching a decision. We believe Post Office has complied with its code with regard to the Cowes relocation.