THE Post Office has been blasted for refusing to reveal to MPs which branches may be set for the axe.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Phil Willis claims executives are using a technicality to refuse to divulge which post offices are being added to an "at risk" list.

He spoke out as he backed local residents in their protests against the proposed closure of Scriven post office in Knaresborough.

He said that despite taxpayers' support to the tune of £200 million, the Post Office claimed it had no requirement to keep Parliament informed about which branches were up for the axe.

"I find the refusal by the Post Office to provide this information to be inexplicable and, quite frankly, disturbing. It fundamentally undermines the process of scrutiny."

But the Post Office said today it launched a full, month-long consultation process each time a branch was being recommended for closure.

During this period, posters were put up at the post office concerned to inform customers, and they, along with councillors, the local MP and local Postwatch group were consulted.

"We listen to the concerns of our customers, MPs and other groups," said a spokesman, stressing that not all proposed closures eventually went ahead.

He said it would not be possible to reveal to MPs which post offices might be at risk of closure "because we don't know in advance."

He said: "It doesn't work like that. There isn't a list of branches at risk. We don't know until we are about to go out to consultation on a proposed closure."

Mr Willis said Postwatch, the consumer watchdog, estimated that 30 branches a week nationwide were being added to the axe list, with about 240 already on it.

The Post Office spokesman said the number was growing by about 30 a month.

At Scriven, the consultation would end tomorrow, after which a decision would be taken within about a fortnight.

He said the closures were being proposed in towns and cities to deal with anticipated falls in the incomes of sub-postmasters when sweeping changes are made in April to the way benefits and pensions are paid.

He said the drop in income could be as much as 40 per cent in some cases, and there would be too little income for too many sub-postmasters.

Sub-postmasters in North Yorkshire warned earlier this month that they feared the benefits changes would spell the death-knell for post offices already struggling to survive.

Updated: 08:54 Thursday, February 27, 2003