§ 16. Miss KirkbrideTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received on her review of the Post Office. [49388]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyI have met a wide range of interested parties, including the management and unions of the Post Office, leading private sector carriers and representative organisations. The review process is an inclusive one and since the announcement of the second stage of the Review on 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 63, my officials have received written views and met interested parties.
§ 23. Mr. St. AubynTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the future of the Post Office. [49395]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe Government plan to give the Post Office greater commercial freedom so that it can meet the challenges of domestic and international markets. The Government have commissioned a review of the public sector options for achieving this and we plan to present our proposals to Parliament in the Autumn.