POST OFFICE CLOSURES

Early day motion 997, tabled 21 February 2008 by Nigel Evans (Conservative). Signed by 167 members.

That this House regrets the proposal to close up to 2,500 post offices; recognises the seminal role post offices play in local communities; notes the unpopularity amongst the general public of closing such a large portion of the network; has concerns that the access criteria laid down for the closures consultation do not adequately take into account local geographical factors and public transport networks; is concerned that the consultation period is only scheduled to last for six weeks rather than three months; and believes that options for business expansion which may have helped individual post offices to remain open should be explored further.

Signatures by party: Conservative 93, Labour 36, Liberal Democrat 21, DUP 4, Scottish National Party 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Independent 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Respect 1, UUP 1.