§ 18. Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any proposals to introduce greater competition into the Post Office.
§ Mr. LeighThe Post Office's letter monopoly is a privilege, not a right. While we keep the options on the letter monopoly under review we have no present plans to alter the scope of the letter monopoly, although in the event of a cessation or serious disruption to the letter service we would consider suspending it. The Government and the Post Office remain fully committed to the existence of a national letter service available to everyone, including those in rural areas, at a reasonable and uniform tariff.
§ 25. Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to ensure that all parts of the country continue to receive a high standard of letter and parcel delivery services.
§ Mr. LeighDecisions concerning aspects of the day-to-day running of the Post Office, such as those affecting the quality of the postal service, are the operational responsibility of the Post Office. The chairman of the Post Office regards quality of service for the customer as a key priority and is constantly searching for ways to improve performance in this crucial area. We welcome his emphasis on achieving better quality of service.