HC Deb 20 January 2003 vol 398 c11W
Mr. Hawkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list(a) the losses, broken down by operational activity, for (i) Royal Mail, (ii) Parcelforce and (iii) Post Office Counters, and (b) non-operational charges, broken down by (A) write-offs and (B) pension costs at (1) Royal Mail, (2) Parcelforce and (3) Post Office Counters. [91938]

Mr. Timms

Losses for Royal Mail, Parcel Force and Post Office Counters in 2001–02 are set out in the table:

Losses from: Losses from operations Exceptional costs Losses after exceptional items before tax
UK Mails 74 74 148
UK Parcels 94 397 491
Post Office Ltd. 163 78 241

It is not possible to provide more detailed figures as these are commercially confidential.

The Department's officials are working with Royal Mail to provide the information requested on write-offs and pension costs. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as this is available, and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.