§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the maintenance of universal postal service provision at a uniform price. [87970]
§ Mr. TimmsThe universal postal service obligation was laid down in the Postal Services Act 2000 and consists of a service provided at an affordable price determined by a public tariff uniform throughout the United Kingdom. It includes the delivery each working day to the home or premises of every individual in the United Kingdom and a collection each working day from access points, subject to the exceptions to this agreed with Postcomm.
Under section 3 of the Act, it is the primary duty of the Regulator, Postcomm, to maintain the universal postal service. The Government's commitment to that service is consequently enshrined in the Postal Services Act.