§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list those companies which have(a) applied to PostComm for a licence to operate postal services in competition with Royal Mail and (b) held discussions with the regulator about possible licence applications. [296]
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§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 25 June 2001]: The issue of postal licences is a matter for the Postal Services Commission (known as PostComm).
In addition to the licence granted to Consignia on 26 March, on 21 June 2001 PostComm announced that it had issued two interim licences to TNT (UK) and one to G3 Worldwide Mail (UK).
All licence proposals from PostComm are subject to a public consultation process. I understand that PostComm does not disclose information on licence applications or potential applications in advance of launching a public consultation.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress to implement the Universal Bank. [294]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 25 June 2001]: Universal Banking Services are scheduled to come on stream in advance of the transfer of benefit payments to ACT in 2003. Consignia are working with their clients, potential suppliers and the banks towards this end.