§ Mr. HainTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take to enable the Royal Mail to continue with its £200 million subsidy for rural mail services under his proposals to limit the postal monopoly.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 30 January 1992]The Government have repeatedly made it clear in the citizens charter White Paper and elsewhere that our overriding commitment remains the maintenance of a universal service, with an affordable, uniform tariff structure. We recognise the importance which individuals and businesses attach to this, especially in rural areas. However, the reduction in the letter monopoly to £1 in 1981 demonstrated that the benefits of greater competition and wider consumer choice can go hand in hand with a strong and successful Post Office.