BEST RURAL RETAILER

Early day motion 523, tabled 18 December 2006 by Lord Blencathra (Conservative). Signed by 6 members.

That this House notes that, of the 16 finalists in the whole of the North West of England in the Best Rural Retailer 2006 competition, 11 are from Cumbria and five from the constituency of the right hon. Member for Penrith and the Border; congratulates Cranston's Holker Food Hall, The Moody Baker, A Taste of Greece, Askham Village Shop and Post Office, Hallbankgate Co-op, the Village Store and Post Office, Orton Low Sizergh Barn, the Farm and Flower Shop, Orton Grange, Plumgarths Farm Shop and John Norris of Penrith on their success so far and wishes them well in the national finals; calls on the Government to recognise the vital role fulfilled by village shops and post offices; and further calls on the Government to introduce food labelling to boost locally produced food and to abandon its plans to close 2,500 local post offices.

Signatures by party: Conservative 4, DUP 1, Liberal Democrat 1.