ROYAL MAIL AND PRESSTREAM

That this House notes with concern the recommendation of Postcomm to remove the second-class magazine delivery service, Presstream 2, from price control from April 2006; believes that this is abdicating its responsibility to control prices chargeable by a dominant supplier, Royal Mail, whose de facto monopoly has been granted by Postcomm; fears that magazine publishers will be exposed to significant price increases due to lack of regulatory controls and no notable competitive option for at least the next five years to the ultimate detriment of consumers; and urges the Government to suggest to Postcomm that it looks again at this recommendation following, as it does, so soon after the introduction of size-based pricing and the changes that Royal Mail have introduced in the move from weight to size-based delivery.