§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of direct sales of postage stamps by the Royal Mail in(a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [9489]
§ Mr. OppenheimThe Post Office advises me that the total actual and estimated values of direct sales of postage stamps by post, excluding philatelic items, by the Royal Mail in 1993, 1994 and 1995 are as set out in the table. Sales of postage stamps by post office outlets are also shown.
£000 Sales of postage stamps via post office outlets Direct postal sales of postage stamps by Royal Mail 1993–94 1,128,944 590 1994–95 1,126,216 3,087 1995–96 11,140,000 18,300 1 Figures provided for 1995–96 represent.estimated sales.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what research he has(a) evaluated and (b) commissioned into the effect of directly selling postage stamps by post on the viability of sub-post offices throughout the British Isles; and if he will make a statement. [9487]
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§ Mr. OppenheimNone. Decisions on the methods by which postage stamps are sold to customers are the operational responsibility of Post Office management.
However, I understand that the Post Office considers it unlikely that direct sales of postage stamps by post, excluding philatelic items, which it is estimated will constitute approximately 0.6 per cent. of total postage stamp sales in 1995–96, will have any significant impact on the viability of the nationwide network of sub-post offices.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has received on the subject of direct postal selling of postage stamps to businesses by the Royal Mail; and if he will make a statement. [9488]
§ Mr. OppenheimI am not aware of any representations made to my Department on the subject of direct postal selling of postage stamps to businesses by the Royal Mail.