HC Deb 11 July 1988 vol 137 cc28-9W
Mr. Grylls

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will place in the Library copies of all bilateral and multilateral agreements and related documents concerning the new terminal dues agreements signed by the Post Office and foreign postal administrations;

(2) if he will list in the Official Report the dates of effectiveness of all bilateral agreements signed in the last two years relating to increased terminal dues;

(3) when he last discussed the new terminal dues agreements with the international bureau of the Universal Postal Union; and if he will make a statement;

(4) what action he has taken under article 116 of the general regulations of the Universal Postal Union relating to terminal dues since 1987;

(5) what information he has on the effect of the new terminal dues agreements signed by the Post Office;

(6) what assessment he has made of the implications of the treaty of Rome for the operation of article 23 of the universal postal union convention; and if he will make a statement;

(7) when he last discussed the subject of international remail with the chairman of the Post Office;

(8) if he will list in the Official Report the bilateral agreements signed on behalf of the Post Office relating to increased terminal dues.

Mr. Butcher

Details of the negotiation and implementation of terminal dues agreements between the Post Office and other postal administrations are an operational matter for the Post Office. I am therefore drawing my hon. Friend's inquiries on this matter to the attention of the chairman. It is, of course, a matter for indiviual postal administrations to decide whether to take action under article 23. My legal advice is that a collective decision by postal administrations to implement article 23 could be contrary to the treaty of Rome. This is also a matter for the Post Office.

Back to