Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has expressed concern for the future of Post Office services following a record number of resignations of the subpostmaster’s in 2013. Including Culross Post Office in Fife and Rhynd Post Office in Perthshire. More recently Post Office Ltd announced that Upper Largo Post Office in Fife is to close following the resignations of its subpostmaster. Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said: “2013 has seen a number of Post Office close following the resignation of the subpostmaster and the withdrawal of Post Office services. “For many subpostmaster it is a very difficult decision to resign from the Post Office. However, with many unable to find a buyer for their Post Office business they are therefore forced to retire and close the Post Office service. “In recent years Post Office Ltd have found it increasingly difficult to find new locations in shops for Post Office counters to be hosted and in many cases have had to resort to providing an outreach Post Office service from a van. “Securing the future of local Post Offices without resorting to the failed closures programme which dominated Labour’s time in Government is important and I welcome the fact the UK Conservative Government has made this a priority with no closures. “The last Labour Government closed over 7000 post offices while in power. Since the election of the UK Conservative Government, action has been taken to protect our post office network and help them to diversify in order to grow their businesses. Conservatives are delivering a £1.34billion investment to provide a secure future for our Post Office Network. “It is clear that the number of subpostmaster’s looking to retire in the future will only increase the problem and potential loss of Post Office service especially from rural communities. “I have written to Post Office Ltd to ask if they will undertake a survey of all subpostmaster’s who may be looking to retire in the near future to see if pro-active steps can be taken to find new subpostmaster’s and prevent the withdrawal of Post Office services in communities.”