Peers seek post office assurances

27 June 2000



Peers seek post office assurances

THE government looks set for a defeat in the House of Lords on Tuesday (27 June) over plans for rural post offices, reports The Independent.

The newspaper says Tory and Liberal Democrat peers will intensify pressure on ministers to halt plans to switch welfare payments from post offices to banks.

The peers want assurances that post offices will not be closed if they lose this lucrative source of revenue.

But it is reported that trade and industry secretary Stephen Byers will seek to appease opposition by unveiling a rescue package.

Under this post offices will be able to offer banking services.

Cash would also be made available to introduce new technology.