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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information his Deportment holds on the average number of counter positions at each (a) Crown post office and (b) post office which has been franchised to WHSmith.

The operation and franchising of its Crown post offices is the responsibility of Post Office Limited.

I have asked Paula Vennells, the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the Hon Member on this matter and provide the information requested. A copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.