But the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said the franchising system had cost "thousands" of post office jobs since it began five years ago.

BBC: RELATED BBC SITES

And following recent announcements by the government on the future of the rail franchising system, they'll be hearing from the Minister for Rail, Simon Burns.

BBC: Week ahead in committees

As they get more familiar with the hotel industry, more owners are opting for franchising, a system in which they pay for a chain's name, reservation network and marketing, but manage and control the hotels themselves.

ECONOMIST: Asia��s hotels