David Burrowes MP

Conservative Party | Enfield Southgate

BURROWES RAISES ISSUE OF LOCAL POST OFFICES WITH SECRETARY OF STATE

During one of the new Topical Questions which MPs can ask of Government Ministers, David had free reign to ask any question of Rt Hon John Hutton MP.

David asked for assurances from the Secretary of State that the voices of residents in Palmers Green and Hadley Wood would be heard during the consultation process:

Mr. David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): Given that the final decision on London’s post office closure programme will be announced after the London elections, and that the post office Minister’s own constituency closure programme will be one of the last to be announced, on 27 August, will the Minister assure me that the voices of the hundreds of my constituents who are campaigning to save their local post offices in Palmers Green and Hadley Wood will be heard, and that this is not a centrally determined, politically determined process?

Mr. Hutton: I can give the hon. Gentleman and his constituents that assurance. We have set up a process for local consultation, and he has just outlined the extent of the local engagement in that process in his constituency.

Although Mr Hutton provided Mr Burrowes with an assurance that this would in fact be the case, David is concerned that the consultation process for the London post office closure programme is simply a PR exercise rather than something which will affect the centrally made decision.

Speaking after his question David said: “I urge Palmers Green and Hadley Wood residents to ensure that they submit their views on the proposed post office closure. I am pleased that the Government will listen to the protests about the closure plans but what the local community want is action to keep the post offices open.”