HL Deb 11 May 2000 vol 612 cc230-1WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey of 19 April (WA 107) whether they will invite the Post Office to explain the use of the word "competitors"; and whether the Post Office has evidence that post offices of other countries may be interested in marking by special stamp issue the bicentenary in 2001 of the creation of the United Kingdom. [HL2272]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Post Office advises me that it is in competition for the custom of collectors with other stamp issuers, mints and other producers of memorabilia/collectibles both in the United Kingdom and overseas. The Post Office does not hold information regarding the stamp issues of other countries.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 10 April (WA 10), whether they will require the Post Office to list the percentage of the telephone research and in-depth market research carried out among small focus groups, including children, on the topic of further stamp issues which takes place in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively, and what was the cost of such research in 1998. [HL2299]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Stamp Programme is a matter for the Post Office. The Government has no plans to require the Post Office to publish details of their market research.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 16 March (WA 220), whether they will invite the Royal Mail to indicate which of the criteria or conventions listed concerning the issue of special stamps caused its decision not to celebrate the bicentenary in 2001 of the creation of the United Kingdom. [HL2274]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Post Office tells me that all of the criteria and conventions were considered in drawing up the 2001 stamp programme. The preferred subjects were selected having regard to these criteria and the conventions that Royal Mail works to, including the Post Office's commercial target for philately.