SNP MP John Mason, the newly elected member for Glasgow East, visited the Treasury today (Thursday) with SNP Chief Whip Stewart Hosie MP to deliver a 3000 signature petition protesting at the closure of the HM Revenue and Customs Offices across Scotland to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Jane Kennedy MP.

Speaking outside the Treasury, Stewart Hosie said: “The Scottish HMRC Offices Under Threat (SHOUT) campaign mounted by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union has been remarkable.

“Two representatives from the PCS travelled over 1000 miles across Scotland in five days to visit each of the offices threatened with closure. Along the way, they gathered 3196 signatures all from people opposed to the closure of these offices.

“Speaking at a PCS rally in Edinburgh last week, I was struck by the commitment of PCS members to providing first-rate service and their frustration at these cuts.

John Mason added: “My election sent a message to Gordon Brown. The Labour Government needs to start listening and not just to the people of Glasgow East but to the people of Scotland.

“The closure of the HMRC offices is an excellent example of where the Government should start.

“The SHOUT message is clear. The question now is will the Government listen?”