Consultation Process Improvements Too Late For Closed Scottish Post Offices - Bruce

2.21.12pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 6th Feb 2004

Commenting on today's announcement that the Government is to improve the consultation arrangements for closing urban post office branches, Malcolm Bruce MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry said:

"We welcome this announcement but the fact is the Government was forced to make these changes after the House of Commons repeatedly argued the closure programme was a fiasco. Sustained pressure has been maintained on the Government by parliament and the public alike.

"The improvements outlined in today's Statement will make the process fairer in future consultations but what about the post offices that have already closed in Scotland? I am calling on the Government to review all these closures and take the appropriate steps where necessary.

"The Liberal Democrats still have significant concerns about the future of the British post office network. Despite Government assurances, rural post offices continue to close as a result of declining business and an uncertain future. The provision of compensation within the urban programme has distorted the process and not enough money is being diverted to invest in remaining post offices.

"At the heart of the post office's decline is the Government's obstinate determination to force the pace of benefits and pensions paid straight into people's banks accounts. Unless urgent action is taken to create new income streams for post offices, this single action by the Government will cripple the network."