§ 28. Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she next expects to meet Consignia management to discuss their business plan for 2002–03. [33822]
§ Mr. AlexanderMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has regular meetings with Consignia management to discuss a range of issues relating to the future of the company.
§ Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the future of the universal service obligation for mail delivery services. [33801]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe Government consider the maintenance of a universal postal service in this country to be of the highest importance. That is why we enshrined the obligation in primary legislation in the Postal Services Act 2000 and gave the postal regulator (Postcomm) the primary duty to exercise its functions in a manner best calculated to ensure the provision of a universal postal service. It is therefore for Postcomm to determine how the universal service obligation is implemented in the interests of consumers. Currently Postcomm requires Consignia plc, in the licence, to provide a universal postal service.