HC Deb 23 June 2004 vol 422 cc1420-1 5.25 pm
Mr. Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con)

This is a petition of 536 residents of the Isle of Wight and others. It was organised by Geoff Lumley and Val Urquhart, and it states: The petition of residents of the Isle of Wight and others, declares that Shanklin Jobcentre provides a valuable public service to employers and the local community of all ages and circumstances; that any disabled access problems can be addressed by reasonable adjustments' to the building; that it is unreasonable to expect residents of the south east Wight area, many with limited means and generally reliant on public transport, to have to travel to Ryde and Newport to access Jobcentre Plus services; but notes that the District Manager for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Jobcentre Plus has declared the intention to close Shanklin Jobcentre in October 2004. The Petitioners therefore request that Vie House of Commons urge that the Secretary of State for Work a id Pensions do all in his power to ensure that the services currently available in Shanklin Jobcentre remain, either by reasonable adjustments being made to the existing building or alternative suitable accommodation being identified in Shanklin or the surrounding area.

To lie upon the Table.