RESPONSIBILITY FOR POST OFFICE SHOULD BE IN SCOTLAND

LIBDEM PRIVATISATION PROPOSALS WILL NOT WORK

The withdrawal of Post Office services by London Government departments is proof that their reserved powers should be devolved to Scotland so that a Scottish post office network can be protected to meet the needs of people in Scotland.

Mr Weir was raising the issue the day before a debate in the House of Commons on the future of the rural post office network where the SNP will criticise the LibDem's plans to privatise the service.

Commenting Mr Weir said:

"If one looks at the services which have been withdrawn from the Post Office network all have been by reserved departments.

"The Post Office card Account is being phased out; benefits have been moved to the banks, regional passport offices are being opened; issuing TV licences has gone and it looks like DVLA licenses will follow suit.

"And yet the Government, using Big Brother double-speak, attacks the consumers because they are forced to go elsewhere by this Government's policies.

"To me this just proves the case for devolving the responsibility for those departments to Scotland. They are totally pout of touch with the needs of communities and post office consumers in Scotland.

"Only by taking on those responsibilities can we protect Scotland's post office network, particular the rural one, from a Metro-centred Government more concerned with profits than people.

Commenting on the LibDem plans to privatise the service Mr Weir said the proposal would not work. He said:

"The very reason for seeking increased help for the Post Office is because it performs a social function. It cannot be viewed simply as another money making concern in the same way as its competitors.

"Why on earth would any small investor put money into a service they are unlikely to get much of a return on their money?

"It might even be that the government would see it as a convenient way out of their difficulties by effectively passing the buck on the ongoing costs of the social obligation onto the small private investor.

"In essence the LibDem proposals would end up with the worst of both worlds and a service stripped of its social obligation or starved of funds.

"The only way to ensure that he post office continues as a viable service is to ensure that it continues to be regarded as having a large social function. That cannot be done in the private sector and we must
argue strongly that it retains a public sector ethos."