§ Mr. BowisTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had or intends to have with EC finance Ministers and the Commission on article 13 a (1)(a) of the EC sixth VAT directive on exemption to public postal services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir John Cope[holding answer 29 October 1992]: My right hon. Friend has had no discussions with EC Finance Ministers or the Commission about the VAT exemption for public postal services. Although the EC Commission, like the Government, is currently considering the impact of this exemption on competition within the postal sector, it is too early yet to say if and when any discussions at ministerial level will take place.