DELIVERY CHARGES FOR CONSUMERS IN RURAL AREAS

Early day motion 2557, tabled 20 December 2011 by Robert Smith (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 21 members.

That this House welcomes the campaign by Citizens Advice Scotland and Citizens Advice Bureaux across Scotland to tackle unfair delivery practices for consumers in remote and rural areas; notes the publication of Free Delivery*, the report from Citizens Advice Scotland which shows that consumers in rural and remote parts of Scotland are often refused delivery or charged more than people in urban areas when ordering goods online; supports Citizens Advice Scotland in urging online retailers to ensure that they comply with the law on distance selling by clearly stating delivery costs before customers enter the purchasing process, reform their delivery policies so that any charges are kept to a minimum and are based on actual costs incurred and offer delivery via Royal Mail wherever possible; and believes that the Royal Mail's Universal Service Obligation must be maintained in order to protect rural and remote consumers from high costs for delivery.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 9, Labour 6, DUP 3, Conservative 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.