text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Post Office Services
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  The majority of MPs voted against the following motion:
  
  * This House 
  * ''believes'' that all Post Office customers who wish to continue receiving their benefits, pension payments and tax credits through the Post Office should be able to do so through a Post Office Card Account opened at the counter of a Post Office or sub-post office; 
  * ''notes'' that the Government has encouraged Post Office customers to use their own bank accounts or basic bank accounts, whilst preventing the promotion of the Post Office Card Account; 
  * ''further'' believes that the Government should use the roll out of Direct Payment to encourage the take-up of all benefits and tax credits; 
  * ''calls'' on the Government to clarify urgently how housebound, disabled and older people who are not able to cope with the three direct payment options will be able to claim their pensions and benefits after 2005; 
  * ''recognises'' the significant role played by local post offices in both rural and urban areas; 
  * ''appreciates'' that ending cash benefit payments will deprive sub-postmasters of an average of 35 per cent. of their income; notes that this will make many post offices commercially unviable and is likely to lead to yet further closures; 
  * ''further'' calls on the Government to ensure that the urban post office closure programme is conducted systematically and only after consulting all relevant parties including Post Office users; and 
  * ''condemns'' the Government's failure to deliver benefits and tax credits in a simple, easy to understand manner while at the same time jeopardising the future prosperity of the Post Office.
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  