HC Deb 06 March 2002 vol 381 cc357-8W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the external financing limit target of the Post Office was in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; whether it was met; and what proportion of post tax profit the external financing limit represented in each year. [40555]

Mr. Alexander

As set out in the White Paper: "Post Office Reform: A World Class Service for the 21st Century", the Government replaced the setting of external financing limits with a new regime based on commercial dividends. No external financing limit was therefore set in respect of the years 1999–2000 and 2000–01.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the external financing limit target of the Post Office is in(a) financial year and (b) 2002–03;and whether expects those targets to be met. (40556)

Mr. Alexander

As set out in the White Paper: "Post Office Reform: A World Class Service for the 21st Century", the Government replaced the setting of external financing limits with a new regime based on commercial dividends. No external financing limit was therefore set for the current financial year or will be set for 2002–03.