I am glad to see the House so well attended, and glad to be able to present a petition on behalf of the residents of Neithrop. Some 5,000 to 6,000 constituents have signed the petition, which states:

The Petition of the residents of Neithrop,

Declares that the Petitioners are extremely concerned about the threat to close Orchard Way sub-Post Office.

Further declares that this Post Office is at the heart of this community. It offers a vital service to some of the most vulnerable people, including those on low wages, unemployed and the elderly.

Further declares that the Government has persistently undermined our Post Office network over a number of years. Ministers have prevented the Post Office competing in the market by penalising them and instead playing to the High Street bank network, by seeking to withdraw the Post Office Card Account, and by preventing Post Offices selling TV Licences and other products to keep them competitive.

Further declares that the Federation of Small Business has said that small business will also be adversely affected by Post Office closures and that the Federation of Sub-Post Masters and Mistresses, which presented the largest ever petition in support of Post Offices, has said the closures will devastate communities.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to stop action which will lead to the immediate closures of Post Offices and urgently review funding for Post Offices and the services offered by them to enable Post Offices to continue to serve as a cornerstone of the community for individuals, business and the most vulnerable in society.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000128]