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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Call for rural post office probe | Call for rural post office probe |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The UK Government should carry out an assessment of the impact of post office closures on Scottish rural communities, according to the first minister. | The UK Government should carry out an assessment of the impact of post office closures on Scottish rural communities, according to the first minister. |
| Jack McConnell told MSPs during First Minister's Questions that UK ministers should consult those affected. | Jack McConnell told MSPs during First Minister's Questions that UK ministers should consult those affected. |
| He added that there should also be an "acceptable level" of future services. | He added that there should also be an "acceptable level" of future services. |
| Earlier, the trade and industry secretary announced at Westminster that about 2,500 post offices across the UK were expected to close by 2009. | Earlier, the trade and industry secretary announced at Westminster that about 2,500 post offices across the UK were expected to close by 2009. |
| SNP MSP Christine Grahame asked Mr McConnell to make representations to the UK government. | SNP MSP Christine Grahame asked Mr McConnell to make representations to the UK government. |
| She backed the comments of Tom Begg, chairman of Postwatch Scotland, who highlighted the importance of post offices not only as places to send parcels and letters, but also as a meeting place in communities like the Borders. | She backed the comments of Tom Begg, chairman of Postwatch Scotland, who highlighted the importance of post offices not only as places to send parcels and letters, but also as a meeting place in communities like the Borders. |
| The government simply does not understand the social value of local branches David Mundell MPConservatives href="/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6180737.stm" class="">Community heart in a shed | |
| The MSP for the South of Scotland added: "In making those representations to Her Majesty's government, will he inform those, by commissioning an assessment of the impact to those communities?" | The MSP for the South of Scotland added: "In making those representations to Her Majesty's government, will he inform those, by commissioning an assessment of the impact to those communities?" |
| She also called on him to report back to parliament on the issue before it went into recess. | She also called on him to report back to parliament on the issue before it went into recess. |
| However, Mr McConnell said the UK Government and the Post Office itself should carry out such an assessment. | However, Mr McConnell said the UK Government and the Post Office itself should carry out such an assessment. |
| "Proper engagement with the communities, based on the facts, is the way forward and I would hope they would take on board the suggestion that has been made," he said. | "Proper engagement with the communities, based on the facts, is the way forward and I would hope they would take on board the suggestion that has been made," he said. |
| 'Ruthless cuts' | 'Ruthless cuts' |
| Conservative MP David Mundell said the announcement was "both disappointing and wrong". | Conservative MP David Mundell said the announcement was "both disappointing and wrong". |
| "The government simply does not understand the social value of local branches, that if one closes, often the last shop in the village closes as well," he said. | "The government simply does not understand the social value of local branches, that if one closes, often the last shop in the village closes as well," he said. |
| "While I recognise that services must be run in a cost-effective way, this government should be focusing on trying to bring new business opportunities to the network". | "While I recognise that services must be run in a cost-effective way, this government should be focusing on trying to bring new business opportunities to the network". |
| The Scottish National Party condemned the closures, describing them as "ruthless cuts". | The Scottish National Party condemned the closures, describing them as "ruthless cuts". |
| Mike Weir MP said: "If the government is serious about a proper sustainable network then they should look not only at closures but also at opening offices in the current Post Office free desert." | Mike Weir MP said: "If the government is serious about a proper sustainable network then they should look not only at closures but also at opening offices in the current Post Office free desert." |