Post Office (Hansard, 7 March 1996)

§ Mr. Battle
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what studies have been undertaken by his Department since 1 January 1995 into the effectiveness of Post Office distribution; and what were the results. [18817]

§ Mr. Oppenheim
No specific studies into the effectiveness of Post Office distribution have been undertaken by my Department since 1 January 1995 as this is an operational matter for the Post Office. Quarterly and annual quality of service statistics obtained by independent survey have for many years been published for Royal Mail. These statistics show the percentage of first and second class mail delivered respectively within Royal Mail's target of the next working day and three working days. The efficiency study of the Post Office commissioned from KPMG in 1995 covered all main areas of the Post Office's operations. Its findings have been used to inform discussion and decision on a range of issues.
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§ Mr. Hain
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of the performance review of the Post Office commissioned from the consultants KPMG; when it was completed; how it has been used; and if it will be published. [18968]

§ Mr. Oppenheim
The performance review of the Post Office commissioned from KPMG was completed on 31 August 1995 and has been used to inform discussion and decisions on a range of issues. These include in particular the setting of the Post Office external financing limits in last November's Budget, and consideration of the financial and efficiency targets which are to be set for Royal Mail, Post Office Counters and Parcelforce for the financial years 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99. The cost of work undertaken by individual contractors is commercially confidential. The contents of the report are confidential between the Government, their advisers and the Post Office board.

§ Mr. Hain
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what will be the Government's target for real unit cost reduction for Royal Mail and Post Office Counters for the financial years(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1988–99; [18970]
(2) what will be the Government's target for the return on capital employed in Royal Mail, Parcelforce and Post Office Counters for the financial years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [18969]

§ Mr. Oppenheim
The new financial and efficiency targets for Royal Mail, Post Office Counters and Parcelforce for the financial years 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 will be published when final decisions on them have been taken.