Tony WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the ability of the Post Office to provide a satisfactory service for the delivery of election materials for the elections on 10 June. [175563]
§ Mr. TimmsRoyal Mail is fully aware of the importance of ensuring that it provides a reliable service during the pilot postal elections in June. This could affect just over 14 million people and DTI Ministers 1679W have received assurances from Allan Leighton that Royal Mail will be giving the handling of the ballot papers the highest priority.
The Department of Constitutional Affairs, which is overseeing the elections, has had several meeting with Royal Mail to discuss the development of national and detailed local plans for the all-postal pilot elections. It has ensured that there are robust plans in place for the delivery and return of electoral mail in June.
The Department of Constitutional Affairs project team will monitor Royal Mail's performance in the run up and during the election period and are in regular contact with Royal Mail to ensure that everything runs smoothly.