ROYAL MAIL WITHDRAWAL FROM USE OF RAIL

Early day motion 1380, tabled 10 June 2003 by Alan Simpson (Labour). Signed by 192 members.

That this House condemns the decision of Royal Mail to transfer the movement of mail from rail freight to other modes of transport by the end of the summer with a direct threat to 500 rail jobs and other jobs at dedicated rail terminals, depots and loading facilities; believes that this decision is short-term and ill conceived and represents a direct challenge to the Government's own policy of increasing the use of freight on rail; notes with dismay the increased congestion on Britain's already over busy road network which will result in an extra 30.5 million lorry miles and the release of an additional 15 thousand tonnes of pollutants per annum; believes that the decision not only undermines the Government's own transport policy but also its environmental and employment objectives; and calls upon the Government to immediately review the decision of Royal Mail in view of its consequences for congestion, the environment, jobs and the rail industry.

Signatures by party: Labour 121, Liberal Democrat 46, Labour/Co-operative 9, Conservative 8, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 3, Independent 1, UUP 1.