§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) first class stamps and (b) second class stamps were sold in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996, (iii) 1997 and (iv) 1998. [104251]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonI understand from the Post Office that it is not possible to record the numbers of first and second class stamps sold because stamps are sold through independent retailers as well as through the Post Office network. The Post Office have supplied the following figures for the numbers of first and second class stamps produced:
Billion Year First class Second class 1995–96 2.4 1.9 1996–97 2.7 2.1 1997–98 2.5 2.1 1998–99 2.2 2.2
§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account he took of EU proposals for a reduction in the postal monopoly when approving the increase in price of the first class stamp. [104182]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonThe Post Office have referred their proposals for letter tariff increases to the Post Office Users' National Council for consultation as statutorily required. My right hon. Friend will consider in due course any views and comments received from the Council.