THREAT TO PRIVATE SECTOR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

Early day motion 2446, tabled 21 November 2011 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 22 members.

That this House is concerned by the threat to private sectorjobs in the professional printed photography sector; notes that a decision, made by the previous administration in April 2009 to allow the Post Office to provide digital ID pictures for driving licences and future plans for the Post Office to be able to provide digital pictures for biometric residence permits and passports, puts 5000 private sector high street jobs at risk at a time of economic uncertainty; understands that the ID picture market is crucial for the survival of private sector photographers contributing up to 40 per cent. of their gross profits on average; believes that rather than creating a Post Office monopoly, the installation of scanners in post offices would provide a viable alternative which would benefit the general public, who could then approve their photographs whilst safeguarding private sector photography jobs; and calls on the Government to allow competition in the provision of ID photographs and reconsider its decision and create a sustainable business model for the Post Office which is also compatible with provision of digital ID pictures by private sector professional photographers.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 4, DUP 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.