Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab)
I wish to present a petition from the people of Shildon against the closure of the HSBC bank in Shildon. HSBC is closing 60 branches across the country. It says it wants to rebuild trust, but it is abandoning 10,000 people, leaving them without a bank, and 800 local businesses. I am today writing to HSBC to ask it to put in £10,000 to extend the local credit union and provide at least some facilities for local people.
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The Petition of residents of Shildon, County Durham,
Declares that the Petitioners support the proposal to keep the HSBC branch in Shildon open; that it is a vital service for local businesses, residents and visitors to this busy town; further that there are over 10,000 residents in Shildon, and if HSBC were to close, we would be left with no banking facilities, causing problems for local businesses and residents who are unable to make the 3 mile journey to the next nearest HSBC branch.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Treasury to encourage HSBC to keep their Shildon branch open.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.]
[P001122]