POST OFFICES IN CHELTENHAM

Early day motion 1646, tabled 14 September 2004 by Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 19 members.

That this House condemns the proposals by Post Office Ltd to close post offices in Hales Road, Hewlett Road, Montpellier Street, Prestbury Road, Windyridge Road and Leckhampton Road in Cheltenham; notes that these proposals come on top of recent closures elsewhere in the town; sympathises with residents who will suffer significant inconvenience if these post offices are closed; deplores the tactics used to persuade postmasters to accept compensation by threatening that no compensation will be forthcoming at a future date; urges the Post Office to ensure that the findings of the consultation period are properly considered before final decisions are made on closure; condemns both Conservative and Labour governments for presiding over the closure of thousands of post offices across the United Kingdom; and invites the Government to reconsider its policies on benefit payments and plans to withdraw pensions books which make up a significant part of the business which makes post offices viable.

Signatures by party: Labour 9, Liberal Democrat 7, DUP 3.