§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the future of the Post Office, with particular reference to the ownership of the Royal Mail [46471]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyAs announced by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade on 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 63, the Government are committed to the Post Office (including Royal Mail) remaining in the public sector and continuing to provide a universal postal service under a uniform tariff structure, with a nationwide network of post offices. Against that background, the Government are reviewing the Post Office's organisation, structure and financing with a view to ensuring that the Post Office can be given greater commercial freedom to enable it to compete effectively in the UK and overseas. We plan to present our proposals in the Autumn.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the progress made in the consideration of liberalisation of postal services within the European Union; when a new directive is expected; and if it will be subject to unanimity or majority vote. [46466]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe Postal Services Directive (97/67/EC) was adopted on 15 December 1997, for Member States to implement by February 1999. The Directive sets a maximum monopoly area for the provider of the universal service and a programme for further liberalisation. The Commission must table a proposal before the end of 1998 and the European Parliament and the Council must decide by 1 January 2000 on the further liberalisation to take effect from 1 January 2003. We would expect the basis of any Directive to be Article 100a which is subject to qualified majority voting.