CLOSURE OF DIRECTLY MANAGED POST OFFICE BRANCHES

Early day motion 1884, tabled 8 November 2004 by Kerry Pollard (Labour). Signed by 42 members.

That this House recognises the importance of post office branches to local communities, particularly the elderly, disabled and people without access to private cars; commends the work of post office managers and franchises in providing benefits, banking services, passport checking and many other important services to people in their communities; welcomes the Government's announcement of funding to enable rural post offices to remain open; regrets plans by Post Office Ltd to begin a programme of closures of directly managed post office branches staffed by employees; notes that transferring branches to franchises may allow Post Office Ltd to avoid taking responsibility for future closures when franchisees agree to give up these post office branches; and calls on the Government to take immediate action to prevent Post Office Ltd from closing these vital community facilities either directly or indirectly by transferring to franchisees.

Signatures by party: Labour 29, Liberal Democrat 9, Labour/Co-operative 3, DUP 1.