MAIL CENTRE CLOSURES

Early day motion 401, tabled 12 January 2009 by Brian Iddon (Labour). Signed by 55 members.

That this House regrets that Royal Mail announced its closure programmes for the North West, Midlands, South East and East of England regions in advance of publication of the Hooper Report; believes that the closure programmes have been planned on a piecemeal basis without ensuring the maintenance of existing standards under the universal service obligation; notes that the Hooper Report highlights the need to maintain a universal postal collection and delivery service; and calls on Royal Mail to delay its planned closure programmes until full consideration has been given to the Hooper Report, and to work with the Government and trades unions in order to develop a national strategy that not only safeguards but enhances the services that it provides whilst protecting the jobs of as many postal workers as possible, especially in the current difficult economic climate and in areas of already high unemployment.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, Liberal Democrat 5, DUP 4, Independent 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.