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Postal Services Bill [HL]

In supporting my noble friend once again on access points, I say that he is right that many of us were surprised but delighted at the Secretary of State’s statement that there are to be no more closures. I hope that when the Minister comes to reply, he will underline that. We are still reeling at the news and wondering whether it is exactly true. Did the Secretary of State mean it? I am sure he did because I have great respect for him, but if the Minister could say, "Yes, that is what we mean", that would be a great help. As my noble friend Lord Clarke pointed out, the Government were elected on that. I am concerned about a town like Chorley, which I know very well. After the main post office there are only two sub-post offices for the whole area, despite its density of population. One widely used post office was closed. There was no reason for closing it, and it means that people are now finding it difficult to access a post office because they are often over a mile away. The speaker on the Liberal Benches was right to make the point that someone may have to travel several miles to collect post that could not be delivered. If you have not got transport of your own, access can be very difficult. Given all that has been said, I cannot see any reason why my noble friend could not accept these extremely reasonable amendments. After all, he would only be reiterating what the Secretary of State has said. The fact that we are not to have any more closures is very important indeed. If my noble friend accepts these amendments, we will not need to return to them, which would be quite positive in relation to the Bill, and indeed there is no reason why they cannot be accepted in view of the categorical assurance given to us by no less than the Secretary of State.