HC Deb 01 March 1976 vol 906 cc917-8
Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9 for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter, that should have urgent consideration; namely the Post Office service cuts announced on Friday night. The matter is specific because the service reductions relate to three specific items, the main items being the closing on Saturday afternoons of post offices, and the discontinuance of Sunday collections, which will affect adversely the business community and the private citizen.

This matter is urgent because the cuts are due to start almost immediately but without correct or full prior consultation with statutory bodies and apparently without the knowledge of the Chairman of the Carter Committee, who certainly did not know about this two weeks ago.

The matter is of public importance because it affects us all. Cuts once made are seldom restored, and they should not be made in a vacuum when a review is taking place.

For those three reasons—of urgency, the specific nature of the matter, and its public importance—I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House.

Mr. Speaker

I am grateful to the hon. Member for Hampstead (Mr. Finsberg) for giving me notice that he intended to make this application. The hon. Member asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, increased postal charges.

Mr. Finsberg

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It is "cuts in services".

Mr. Speaker

I shall read the hon. Member's letter. It is in respect of Post Office service cuts.

I listened with great care to the hon. Member. As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Order but to give no reasons for my decision. I have given careful consideration to the representations that the hon. Member has made, but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order, and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.