POST OFFICE DIVERSIFICATION

That this House recognises the crucial and dynamic role rural and urban post offices play in their respective communities; also recognises the potential problems associated with implementing the comprehensive reform proposals that constitute the Post Office Reinvention Plan; specifically recognises the importance of customers continuing to use the Post Office in person following direct payments of pensions and benefits on April 2003; emphasises that the Universal Banking services are an integral and paramount part of the Government's Post Office Reinvention Plan; therefore calls on the Government to back up these strong reform measures with an equally strong marketing campaign to promote the Post Office Card; encourages the Government to continue to work closely with post offices to diversify their services and products; and recommends that the Government consider installing Lottery terminals in every post office as a means to further, more effective diversification.