§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning the EC paper on the development of a single market for postal services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeighI have received a wide range of written and oral representations from users of the postal services, private sector competitors, Post Office employees, the Post Office itself and other interested parties both individual and corporate. I expect to receive additional representations over the coming weeks. All these representations will226W be carefully analysed and taken fully into account by the Government before we prepare our formal response to the European Commission towards the end of this year.
§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations he has received concerning the possible privatisation of the Post Office;
(2) which organisations, which sources and which individuals are being consulted in connection with the Government's review of the structure and organisation of the Post Office;
(3) with which companies he has had meetings to discuss the possible privatisation of the Post Office.
§ Mr. LeighI have received a number of representations from interested parties and the general public concerning the Post Office review.
I have held meetings, or am due to hold meetings, with the following in connection with the review of the structure and organisation of the Post Office: the Post Office, the Post Office Users National Council, Union of Communication Workers, National Communications Union, Communications Managers Association, National Union of Civil and Public Servants, Post Office Unions Council, the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, the Association of International Courier and Express Services, TNT Express (UK), DHL International (UK) Ltd, Securicor Omega Express, Britdoc, Mail Users Association, Direct Marketing Association, Periodical Publishers' Association, British Printing Industries Federation, European Mail and Express Services Users Association.
In addition, my officials and the consultants appointed to advise the Government have met Business Post, Electronic Equipment Association, Mail Order Traders Association, BT, Girobank and other Government Departments.
A variety of published sources have been used as well as information provided by the Post Office and the Government.
§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to publish the results of the review of the structure and organisation of the Post Office.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the limit he has announced on public sector pay increases for the current year is applicable to employees of(a) Parcelforce, (b) the Royal Mail and (c) Post Office Counters; and what account will be taken of offers already made to representatives of staff.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 17 November 1992]: The pay policy announced by my right hon. Friend will apply to all public sector pay settlements over the next 12 months including those employed by public corporations such as the Post Office.
The recent formal pay offer made to Royal Mail employees with effect from 1 October this year will be honoured since negotiatiions have already been completed, but their October 1993 pay settlement will be constrained by the pay policy.
§ Ms. Estelle MorrisTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial benefit accrued to Post Office 227W Letters, Post Office Counters and Parcelforce as a result of their holiday from paying contributions as employer to the superannuation funds of their respective employees during each year since 1987.
£ million 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 Royal Mail Nil 13 29 106 105 Post Office Counters Nil 2 5 16 15 Parcelforce Nil 1 2 9 8 There have been no reductions during this period to the employer's contribution to the Post Office pension scheme.
§ Ms. Estelle MorrisTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial subventions other than a contributions holiday Post Office letters, Post Office Counters and Parcelforce have received from the superannuation funds of their respective employees.