Postal Services Bill

37: After Clause 10, insert the following new Clause— ““Closure of post offices (1) Where any company or any other person proposes to close a post office, it shall at the earliest opportunity begin consulting representatives of the employees affected and community and other groups with an interest in the proposed closure, including consulting on that company or person’s plans for alternative provision of services provided by the post office. (2) No decision to close may be made within the period of six weeks from the start of the consultation required by subsection (1). (3) No decision to close a post office in a Crown post office shall be taken within 12 weeks of the start of the consultation required by subsection (1). (4) No decision to close a post office in a rural or a deprived urban area or an outreach service shall be taken within 16 weeks of the start of the consultation required by subsection (1).””