POST OFFICE CARD ACCOUNT

Early day motion 630, tabled 30 January 2003 by Tim Yeo (Conservative). Signed by 85 members.

That this House notes the Government's prevarication over the Post Office Card Account which should be in operation by 1st April; further notes that the personal invitation documents will not be sent out to potential card holders until 24th March; further notes that the Government has pushed Post Office customers towards using their own bank accounts or basic bank accounts, whilst preventing promotion of the Post Office Card Account; appreciates that the ending of benefit payments in cash will deprive sub postmasters of an average 35 per cent. of income; realises that this will make many post offices commercially unviable and is therefore likely to lead to yet further closures; condemns the Government's failure of policy for the Post Office; and calls upon the Government to implement all the recommendations of the PIU report on the future of the Post Office network and in particular to encourage the marketing of the Post Office Card Account which will contribute significantly to future income in Post Office branches.

Signatures by party: Conservative 62, Liberal Democrat 8, Labour 7, UUP 3, Plaid Cymru 2, DUP 1, Independent Conservative 1, Scottish National Party 1.