WEST Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett has labelled Government plans to switch benefit payments from post offices to banks 'crazy'.

Following a debate on Monday night in the House of Commons, Mr Burnett said the Government seemed intent in ignoring the needs of rural areas.

He has sent petition forms to every sub post office in the constituency and said the response so far has been 'phenomenal'.

'I am really delighted at the response — for example, Bere Alston has had something in the region of 1,200 signatories, and all around Okehampton has been excellent. This has been repeated up and down the constituency,' said Mr Burnett.

He said Government plans, which would save the Treasury millions, were flawed on two points.

'It's crazy because banks are decreasing their transactions in rural areas and there are many areas where it's just impossible for pensioners and mothers to get their benefits from banks.

'Also it's terribly unfair for the sub post offices — I want to see fair competition with the banks, they are not giving the post offices a fair chance to get their technology in order, they need at least two years,' he said.

'It's a crazy policy, it just shows complete ignorance about the state of affairs in rural areas, with poor transport and the distances involved.'

Mr Burnett said if Government plans become law in 2003 it could strike the 'death-knell' for rural sub post offices, which provided a focal point and an 'enormously important range of facilities' in villages and small towns in West Devon.