FRANCHISING OF POST OFFICES

Early day motion 1783, tabled 8 March 2006 by Clive Efford (Labour). Signed by 32 members.

That this House calls on the Post Office to stop its programme of privatisation of post offices; demands that it review all current contracts to determine whether contractual obligations are being complied with by franchise operators; further demands that where these contractual obligations are not being met that post offices are brought back under direct management of the Post Office; notes that the privatisation of Eltham post office has resulted in the deterioration of the level of service to the point where there is no service at all; is appalled that staff at this post office are relying on customers to tell them how to carry out routine transactions; believes that the Post Office has failed to carry out any reasonable checks to determine whether the franchise operator of Eltham post office is capable of delivering any form of basic service; and calls on the Government to halt the privatisation of post offices forthwith.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, DUP 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Liberal Democrat 1, Respect 1.