§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost was of the system of Post Office advisory committees and the Post Office Users' Council in the latest full year for which figures are available; and what the cost will be of the new arrangements he is proposing. [125456]
§ Mr. Alan Johnson[holding answer 12 June 2000]The cost of the Post Office Users' National Council (POUNC); the Post Office Users' Councils for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Post Office Advisory Committees was approximately £800,000 in 1999–2000.
Peter Carr (the Chairman of POUNC and the Chairman designate of the CCPS) issued a consultation document on the structure of the new Council on 17 April. I am now awaiting a report on the outcome of the consultation together with proposals about the structure and costs of the CCPS.