§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what action(a) the Government and (b) the Post Office will have to take to comply with the proposed EU Postal Directive. [47548]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 25 June 1998]: The Government must transpose the Directive into UK law by February 1999. We shall need to modify the monopoly and introduce some other amendments. We expect to do this through secondary legislation, using the European Communities Act 1972. The final proposals will be announced later this year.
The Post Office is fully committed to complying with the Directive and is discussing with officials at the Department the precise arrangements which will be necessary.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many proposals for foreign acquisition and joint ventures by the Post Office since May 1997(a) have been turned down and (b) are awaiting an answer from her Department. [47518]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 25 June 1998]: None.