Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to bring the Postal Services Act 2000 into force; and if he will make a statement. [137485]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonI have made the first Commencement Order under section 130 of the Act to set the dates for the coming into force of many of the principal provisions of the Act. In accordance with the Order, these provisions will be brought into force in three phases.
As announced in the pursuant answer given on 6 November 2000, Official Report, column 18W, the Postal Services Commission became a statutory body on that date, with many of its new powers, including the power to prepare for the licensing regime. I can confirm that Mr. Graham Corbett CBE has been appointed as Chairman. Mr. Robin Aaronson, Mr. Tony Cooper, Ms Julia Kaufmann OBE, Ms Janet Lewis-Jones, and Mr. Ken Olisa have been appointed as members. The Commissioners have with the approval of the Secretary of State appointed Mr. Martin Stanley as their Chief Executive and he will under the provisions of the Act be a member of the Commission.
Also on 6 November the powers which will pave the way for the establishment of the Post Office company and the transfer of the Post Office's business to this company were commenced (though the transfer will not take place until next Spring).
On 1 January 2001, the provisions relating to the new Consumer Council for Postal Services will be commenced.
On 26 March 2001, the requirements for the full licensing regime will be commenced; and (as this is the day on which it is planned to vest the business of the Post Office in the new Post Office company) the repeal of much of the existing Post Office legislation will take effect.
A further Commencement Order will be made in due course covering the provisions not contained in the first Order. It is expected that most of the remaining provisions will be commenced on 26 March 2001.