§ Mr. FallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when Royal Mail sought his approval to increase the mailing price of the Presstream service; and what account he took in giving his approval of earlier guarantees from Royal Mail about stability of prices. [80030]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyChanges to postal tariffs are primarily a matter for the Post Office in consultation with the Post Office Users' National Council (POUNC), to whom the Post Office is statutorily required to refer major proposals for comment. The proposals are formally notified to my Department at the same time as they are referred to POUNC. The most recent tariff proposals, including those for the Presstream service, were referred to POUNC on 14 January. In indicating that he was content for the proposed tariff changes to be implemented, my right hon. Friend took account of the representations received about the proposed Presstream tariff increases and the arrangements made by Royal Mail, in response to representations, to mitigate their impact. He also took into account that the increases for this service were the first since September 1993.