§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who will represent the United Kingdom at the next meeting of the Council of the European Union (Transport and Communications); and what position the UK's representative will take on amending Directive 96/97/EC with regard to the further opening up to competition of Community postal services. [157391]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonMy hon. Friend the Minister of State for Small Business and E-Commerce represented the UK at this month's Transport and Telecommunications Council on 4–5 April 2001. There are no plans for a substantive discussion on the proposal to amend Directive 97/67/EC at this Council; this item is on the agenda for information only in order to provide a progress report and an indication of the Presidency's plans for taking forward the debate with the aim of achieving a political compromise at the Telecommunications Council to be held at the end of June. The UK supports the Presidency in its objective to work for an agreement on the further opening up to competition of Community postal services provided appropriate safeguards are in place to maintain the universal service at a uniform tariff.