On behalf of my constituents, I present a petition about their concern about the proposed closure of post offices in their local area. I support the petition wholeheartedly, and I pay tribute to my constituent Andrew Rowley, who virtually single-handedly collected in Shipley constituency the almost 3,000 signatures on the petition.

The petition states:

The Petition of the residents of the Shipley constituency and the surrounding area,

Declares that the Petitioners are extremely concerned at the threat of closures and the removal of public services to the post offices in the Shipley constituency and believe that this is a pressing public service priority within the Bradford district.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons calls upon the Government to recognise the importance of the post office to the local community and to other businesses in the Shipley constituency and to ensure that the Post Office honour their promise to maintain sufficient post offices and services in the Shipley constituency.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000058]