Parcelforce (Hansard, 9 December 1992)

§ Mr. Alton
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when he expects to invite bids for Parcelforce;
(2) when he expects the privatisation of Parcelforce to be completed.

§ Mr. Leigh
The Government have not yet decided on the method and timing of the privatisation of Parcelforce. I can therefore forecast neither the launch date for the privatisation, nor when it is likely to be completed.

§ Mr. Alton
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the effect on employment of the privatisation of Parcelforce.

§ Mr. Leigh
The detailed work set in hand following my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade's announcement on 15 July of his intention to privatise Parcelforce will cover all matters relating to the sale.

§ Mr. Stott
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that, in the event of the privatisation of Parcelforce, the future owner will make pension provisions for the employees which, when taken as a whole, will be no less favourable than those currently provided under the Post Office pension schemes.

§ Mr. Leigh
[holding answer 7 December 1992]: There is extensive experience of protecting the accrued rights of public sector employees on privatisation; the same diligence will apply to the sale of Parcelforce. A potential purchaser's plans for future pension provision will in addition be carefully scrutinised at the time bids are sought.