§ Mr. HendersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) at whose instigation companies have submitted proposals to his Department in relation to the privatisation of Post Office Letters;
(2) if the Post Office has been involved in consideration of proposals from companies in relation to the privatisation of Post Office Letters;
(3) what was the nature of the proposals sent by companies to his Department in relation to the privatisation of Post Office Letters; and on what basis they have been rejected;
(4) which companies have approached his Department in relation to the privatisation of Post Office Letters;
(5) if, in relation to the privatisation of the Post Office, he will indicate which companies were approached by his Department.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 19 February 1990]: As I said on 14 February 1990, Official Report, column 260, my right hon. Friend has met a number of parties some of whom have put forward proposals in relation to letters delivery, and some of whom have not. My right hon. Friend requested these meetings in order to hear all points of view, but the discussions were on a basis of confidentiality.