HC Deb 13 November 2003 vol 413 cc405-6W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will make a statement on(a) Postcomm's access proposals to Royal Mail and (b) the precedent it would set for other third party access; [138302]

(2) what the reasons are for Postcomm's conclusion that the overall effect of their proposals concerning access points and prices would be contribution neutral; [138312]

(3) what proposals Postcomm has suggested to stop cream-skimming, if the access plans concerning Royal Mail are accepted; [138303]

(4) what assessment Postcomm made of the legal precedent set by its access proposals to Royal Mail; [138304]

(5) what the reasons are for Postcomm's proposals that Royal Mail should be contractually bound to deliver 98.5 per cent. of UK mail's items on the due date of delivery; and from where this figure was derived; [138306]

(6) if she will make a statement on the effect of increased competition on the Royal Mail's system of cross-subsidies; [138310]

(7) if she will make a statement on Postcomm's proposed access cost; [138311]

(8) what evidence she has assessed with respect to Postcomm's conclusion that its access plans are revenue neutral; [138314]

(9) what proposals Postcomm has suggested to discourage Royal Mail's large customers from seeking direct access to their facilities. [138315]

Mr. Timms

Access pricing and the related regulatory issues are a matter for the regulator, whose primary responsibility is to ensure the provision of a universal postal service.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on(a) the proposal of Postcomm to allow Royal Mail's competitors direct access to their delivery offices and (b) the effect that this would have on the Three Year Renewal Plan, including (i) single daily delivery and (ii) simplified sorting. [138305]

Mr. Timms

This is a matter for Postcomm, whose primary responsibility is to ensure the provision of a universal postal service.

It is for Royal Mail to make representations to Postcomm about the impact of the regulator's proposals on its business.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on Royal Mail's proposal that a minimum entry level of 1,000 items to a single access point should be set. [138307]

Mr. Timms

Access pricing is a matter for Postcomm and it is for them to consider Royal Mail's proposal.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on how Postcomm's proposals concerning third party access by UK mail to Royal Mail's pipeline will effect its primary duty of protecting a universal service at a uniform tariff; and if she will make an assessment of the effect that the third party access will have on Royal Mail's long-term viability, with particular reference to its Three Year Renewal Plan. [138308]

Mr. Timms

Access price determination is a matter for Postcomm. It is for Royal Mail to assess the impact on its business and to make representations to Postcomm.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who the new Chair of Postcomm is; and if the new Chair will be asked to review the third party access proposals concerning Royal Mail. [138309]

Mr. Timms

The new Chair of Postcomm is Nigel Stapleton.

Access pricing and the related regulatory issues are a matter for the regulator, whose primary responsibility is to ensure the provision of a universal postal service.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on Royal Mail's analysis of the effect on its profits of the access determination proposed by Postcomm. [138313]

Mr. Timms

It is for the Royal Mail Board to analyse the potential impact on its profits and to make representations to Postcomm.