POSTCOMM THREAT TO UNIVERSAL POSTAL SERVICE

That this House is deeply concerned about the threat posed to the univeral postal service by Postcomm's price proposals; regrets that the one pence rise in basic first and second class postage prices is tied to price controls that would leave Royal Mail in a worse financial position than it is now; recognises that Royal Mail delivers 82 million letters every working day to the UK's 27 million addresses at a uniform national tariff irrespective of the distance travelled; believes Royal Mail's prices compare very favourably with other European mail services; notes that there has been one increase in the basic first class price in the last six years and the basic second class price is lower than six years ago; reminds Postcomm of its primary duty set out by Her Majesty's Government to 'exercise its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to ensure the provision of a universal postal service'; and calls upon Postcomm to withdraw its ill-conceived and damaging proposals.