Written question asked by Mark Robinson (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 January 1997. It was answered by Richard Page (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 January 1997 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: Statement on the outcome of the EC Telecommunications Council on 18th December 1996.

Answer: Mr. Mark Robinson: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Telecommunications Council on 18 December 1996. [11408] Mr. Page: I represented the UK at the Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 18 December arranged at short notice to discuss the postal services directive. The Council reached political agreement on the further liberalisation of postal services. The UK supported the final compromise on the directive's further liberalisation proposals after successfully invoking the Ioannina agreement to secure improvements. Netherlands, Sweden and Finland voted against the agreement. Under the agreement direct mail and cross-border mail will stay in the reserved area for the time being. The Commission will come forward with a proposal for further liberalisation by end 1998. The Council and European Parliament will decide by 1.1.2000 on further liberalisation measures, in particular with a view to liberalisation of cross-border and direct mail as well as a further review of the price and weight limits, with effect from 1.1.2003. The directive will end in 2004 if no decisions have been made.

Secondary information