10-08-04

Barrett secures crucial debate on Edinburgh Post Office closures

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West has secured a debate in Parliament on the proposedEdinburghpost office closures announced by management.
 
Mr Barrett, who is the only Edinburgh MP to have voted against the post office closures in the House of Commons, obtained the debate after writing to the Commons' Speaker, Michael Martin. The debate will be held in the first week back from the summer recess in September and a Minister from the Department for Trade and Industry will be required to attend.
 
Commenting, John Barrett MP said:
 
"I am delighted that the Speaker has agreed with me that these closures are important enough to merit a debate in Parliament. 
 
"Ever since Post Office management made the announcement that 20 post offices in Edinburgh have been lined up for closure, my office has been inundated with phone-calls, letters and e-mails. It is clear that people, especially the elderly, are very concerned about the impact these closures will have on them and their local communities.
 
"This debate will give me a perfect chance to bring to Parliament's attention the outrage and anger that many local people feel. After all, one of the key reasons post office business is going down is the Government's decision to scrap pensioner's pension books and push them towards having their money paid directly into bank accounts.
 
"I will be listening to the Government Minister with great interest. However, at this stage, I have no idea how he will be able to justify the closures. How on earth can he say with a straight face that people in Edinburgh will be better off if these closures get the go ahead?"
 
ENDS
 

Notes to Editors
 
• The Post Office Ltd have announced their intention to close the following 20 Edinburgh post offices -

Saughtonhall	Comely Bank	Murrayfield	Stenhouse Cross
Claremont Park	Jock's Lodge	Craigentinny Rd	Joppa
Montkonthall	Seafield Road	New Kirkgate	Albert Place
Newhaven	Fairmilehead	Mayfield	Gilmerton Dykes
Strachan Road	Clermiston	South Gyle	East Craigs

• The closures form part of the Post Office Urban Reinvention Programme, supported by the UK Government and opposed by the Liberal Democrats. Not one Labour MP voted against the closure plan in the vote in the House of Commons.