Philip Dunne comments on the decision by the Government to delay its response to the consultation on the post office network.Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow and chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Rural Services, today commented on the decision by the Government to delay its response to the consultation on the post office network until May after it received more than 2,500 representations:

"If this means that the Government will respond constructively to the recommendations that have been made then this further delay will be worth it. But prolonged uncertainty does not help the many sub-postmasters trying to run their own business, customers or the local community.

"The huge volume of representations made reflects the general concern, especially in rural areas, where post offices provide such a valuable service.

As we know, in Shropshire, this Government does not always listen to what the people want. I hope this will prove an exception to the rule."