Memorandum from Brian Sawkins
There is a Poster in our Village Post Office
inviting the public to contribute to a debate instigated by Parliament
but giving only a web-site address. As I do not have the facility
to contribute in that manner and as I consider that to be somewhat
restrictive, if not discriminatory, I would deem it a favour if
you, or a member of your staff would be kind enough to forward
the following remarks on my behalf.
Village communities such as Lympstone and, no
doubt, many suburban communities also, depend very much on the
services, limited as they now are, provided by their Post Masters.
These men and women are known to everyone and know everyone; for
some, they may be the only friendly face that is seen from one
day to the next; therefore, leaving commercial reasons to one
side, they provide an essential social service that is irreplaceable.
The Post Office Network has the facility to
provide a greater service than at present and the suggestion of
"A People's Bank" is one which, I know has growing support.
If other Banks, such as Nat West and HSBC could be encouraged
to participate and join those such as Lloyds TSB and Alliance
& Leicester (who already do), this could benefit the Banks,
the Post Office and the public.
Further, if TV Licensing payments (as contentious
as they are) could be returned to the Post Office, this too, would
be of mutual benefit.
I pay many of my bills at the Post Office but
there are others which require a visit to a branch of my Bank
(such as Credit Card payments); could the Post Office deal with
these? For those rural communities with an infrequent Bus Service,
such a facility at the Post Office would surely be a boon.
Finally, as a child, I had a Post Office Savings
Account for which I could purchase Sixpenny Savings Stamps; can
someone re-invent a similar account that would encourage children
both to save small amounts and visit their Post Office as well?
( It is said that from small acorns, large oak trees grow
February 2009
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