Post Offices Have Suffered Because Of Government Neglect - Cable

2.22.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 9th Jun 2007

Commenting on today's Trade and Industry Select Committee report which criticises aspects of the postal network, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable MP said: "Post Office management have exercised a dead hand in inhibiting the entrepreneurial instincts of postmasters and postmistresses. The committee's report correctly highlights this.

"However, that is not the central issue. The major problem has been that the Government has had little faith in the future of the network and has never followed the recommendations of a key Cabinet Office report eight years ago.

"Ministers have stifled new initiatives involving Government business such as driving licenses and passport forms, and discouraged many people, particularly pensioners, who would have used the Post Office Card Account."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The committee's report can be found at:

<http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmtrdind/593/59302.htm>