A SURVEY of the rural post office network has been launched by West Devon and Torridge MP, Geoffrey Cox. Mr Cox has written to every sub post office branch in the constituency asking postmasters and postmistresses to let him know how the Government?s decision to withdraw its support for the Post Office Card Account will affect their businesses. He has also asked them to complete a questionnaire letting him know how many customers a week use the branch, what services they have and would like, and the extent to which the end of the account will affect their business. Mr Cox said: ?The loss of rural amenities is an issue of great importance in our area. The information that I will collect from this survey will better equip me to challenge the Government?s damaging decision.? The move comes amid growing concern over the impact of the Government?s decision to end the account scheme in 2010. Mr Cox has tabled a series of Parliamentary Questions pressing the Government to come up with a long-term strategy to support the rural post office network. He said: ?The Government?s answer to my questions demonstrates it has, as yet, no strategy beyond 2008 to support sub post offices. It is steadily removing the lifeline of these vital institutions but putting in its place no practical alternative.?
