§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the implications are for postal services of the judgment in Consignia plcv. Hays plc; and if she will make a statement. [33489]
§ Mr. AlexanderI understand that this matter is still before the courts. It would therefore be inappropriate to make a statement at this time. If the final decision in this case has important implications for postal services these will need to be considered in the first instance by Postcomm.
§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government will take to safeguard the future of postal services in rural areas. [31275]
§ Mr. Alexander[holding answer 29 January 2002]: Under the Postal Services Act 2000 the postal regulator the Postal Services Commission (Postcomm) has the primary duty to ensure the provision of a universal postal service. The obligation consists of a service provided at an affordable price determined by a public tariff uniform throughout the UK and includes the delivery each working day to the home or premises of every individual in the UK and a collection each working day from access points.
Subject to this primary responsibility Postcomm is also under a duty to exercise its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to further the interests of users of postal services, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition between postal operators. In performing this secondary duty Postcomm shall have regard to the interests of, amongst others, individuals residing in rural areas.
Currently Postcomm requires Consignia plc, in the licence to provide a universal postal service. Subject to Consignia's universal service obligations, the number and timing of deliveries is an operational issue for Consignia.