§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the planned levels of annual borrowing and returned cash available to the Post Office for re-investment. [55954]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe Post Office has no annual borrowing planned and expects to spend some £500 million on capital investment in the current financial year.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when he plans to introduce measures allowing greater commercial freedom to the Post Office; [55953]
(2) when he plans to announce the conclusions of his review of the Post Office. [55955]
§ Mr. MandelsonWork on the Government's review aimed at allowing the Post Office greater commercial freedom is proceeding apace. I will present our proposals as soon as I am ready to do so.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much the Post Office has proposed to reduce its negative EFL in 1999. [55965]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe Post Office has made clear its wish to have an EFL set at a commercial dividend level.