I do not know what to say other than “How do I follow that?” However, the theme of my speech is very similar to that of the petition presented by the hon. Member for North East Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg).

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for granting me an Adjournment debate on what...

I do not know what to say other than “How do I follow that?” However, the theme of my speech is very similar to that of the petition presented by the hon. Member for North East Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg).

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for granting me an Adjournment debate on what...

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz) and the Minister for allowing me to make this brief contribution to the debate.

Mr Speaker, this discussion takes me back to a contribution that you made as a Back Bencher some years ago. There was a debate on...

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz) and the Minister for allowing me to make this brief contribution to the debate.

Mr Speaker, this discussion takes me back to a contribution that you made as a Back Bencher some years ago. There was a debate on...

It is a pleasure to reply to the debate secured by the hon. Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz), and I congratulate her on securing a debate on an issue of such great concern to her and her constituents. I am sure she was delighted when the hon. Member for...

It is a pleasure to reply to the debate secured by the hon. Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz), and I congratulate her on securing a debate on an issue of such great concern to her and her constituents. I am sure she was delighted when the hon. Member for...

Agreed to on question.

Agreed to on question.

I applied for this Adjournment debate because of the strong concern felt in Willenhall, in the borough of Walsall, about the closure of the Crown post office. It is one of 70 such post offices that I understand are listed to be closed—[Interruption.] Perhaps I could have the Minister’s attention...

I applied for this Adjournment debate because of the strong concern felt in Willenhall, in the borough of Walsall, about the closure of the Crown post office. It is one of 70 such post offices that I understand are listed to be closed—[Interruption.] Perhaps I could have the Minister’s attention...

Let me begin by saying that the hon. Member for Walsall North (Mr Winnick) has certainly discharged his responsibility to his constituents by raising Post Office Ltd’s proposals to seek a franchise partner to operate Willenhall Crown post office. He has set out very clearly his concerns, and the concerns...

Let me begin by saying that the hon. Member for Walsall North (Mr Winnick) has certainly discharged his responsibility to his constituents by raising Post Office Ltd’s proposals to seek a franchise partner to operate Willenhall Crown post office. He has set out very clearly his concerns, and the concerns...

The Minister says that it is not a closure, but it is a closure, to the extent that the existing building will close. There is no doubt about that, and indeed the Minister has not said otherwise. What he is saying is that the post office facilities will be transferred...

The Minister says that it is not a closure, but it is a closure, to the extent that the existing building will close. There is no doubt about that, and indeed the Minister has not said otherwise. What he is saying is that the post office facilities will be transferred...

As the hon. Gentleman himself mentioned, a consultation will take place, and the views of local residents will be important. I think he will concede that the post office is not in an ideal condition, in terms of the state of the building. It could also be argued that it...

As the hon. Gentleman himself mentioned, a consultation will take place, and the views of local residents will be important. I think he will concede that the post office is not in an ideal condition, in terms of the state of the building. It could also be argued that it...

I was not aware that the Minister was conversant with Willenhall, and he will no doubt respond on whether he will accept my invitation. He said that the post office is not in the most central place, but it is in the centre of Willenhall town. It is very near...

I was not aware that the Minister was conversant with Willenhall, and he will no doubt respond on whether he will accept my invitation. He said that the post office is not in the most central place, but it is in the centre of Willenhall town. It is very near...

I am certainly going to pass the hon. Gentleman’s kind invitation on to the post office Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff Central (Jenny Willott), and perhaps she can go and see for herself and establish beyond any doubt whether the location is optimal. Of course I stand...

I am certainly going to pass the hon. Gentleman’s kind invitation on to the post office Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff Central (Jenny Willott), and perhaps she can go and see for herself and establish beyond any doubt whether the location is optimal. Of course I stand...

The House always benefits from your interventions, Mr Speaker, and thank you for your kind good wishes to my hon. Friend. I think the House has already guessed that my hon. Friend would normally have been answering this debate. I receive a number of kind invitations from all quarters of...

The House always benefits from your interventions, Mr Speaker, and thank you for your kind good wishes to my hon. Friend. I think the House has already guessed that my hon. Friend would normally have been answering this debate. I receive a number of kind invitations from all quarters of...

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. As one of the Tellers for the Noes on the

motion on the charter for budget responsibility earlier today, I have to report that the correct number of Noes was 23, not 22 as called—mea culpa.

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. As one of the Tellers for the Noes on the

motion on the charter for budget responsibility earlier today, I have to report that the correct number of Noes was 23, not 22 as called—mea culpa.

Agreed to on question.

Agreed to on question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 January, Official Report, column 178W, on Manor Hospital, Walsall, if the Department has now received notification arising from the report of the Mid Staffordshire Special Administrators and Monitor for additional investment at the Manor Hospital, Walsall,...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 January, Official Report, column 178W, on Manor Hospital, Walsall, if the Department has now received notification arising from the report of the Mid Staffordshire Special Administrators and Monitor for additional investment at the Manor Hospital, Walsall,...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when a decision will be made on the application for extra funding made by NHS Manor Hospital, Walsall arising from extra demands from patients arising from external situations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when a decision will be made on the application for extra funding made by NHS Manor Hospital, Walsall arising from extra demands from patients arising from external situations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education when it is intended that the Minister for schools will write to the hon. Member for Walsall North on matters arising from the deputation on 17 October 2013 concerning the Mirus Academy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education when it is intended that the Minister for schools will write to the hon. Member for Walsall North on matters arising from the deputation on 17 October 2013 concerning the Mirus Academy.

Walsall Gala Baths

The Petition of the users of Walsall Gala Baths,

Declares that the petitioners do not wish to see the closure of the Walsall Gala Baths as they believe that it is important to have swimming facilities in the town centre. Especially and in particular, we do not wish to...

Walsall Gala Baths

The Petition of the users of Walsall Gala Baths,

Declares that the petitioners do not wish to see the closure of the Walsall Gala Baths as they believe that it is important to have swimming facilities in the town centre. Especially and in particular, we do not wish to...

Cemetery at Aldridge Road, Walsall

The Petition of Residents Against Cemetery,

Declares that the Petitioners are against the granting of planning for a cemetery at Aldridge Road, Walsall.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to encourage Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to consider...

Cemetery at Aldridge Road, Walsall

The Petition of Residents Against Cemetery,

Declares that the Petitioners are against the granting of planning for a cemetery at Aldridge Road, Walsall.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to encourage Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to consider...

Walsall Gala Baths

I rise to present a petition on behalf of the users of Walsall Gala baths. A petition in similar terms has been signed by 1,938 people.

The petition states:

The Petition of the users of Walsall Gala Baths,

Declares that the petitioners do not wish to see the closure of the...

Walsall Gala Baths

I rise to present a petition on behalf of the users of Walsall Gala baths. A petition in similar terms has been signed by 1,938 people.

The petition states:

The Petition of the users of Walsall Gala Baths,

Declares that the petitioners do not wish to see the closure of the...