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Royal Mail

No, I want to continue and answer those questions in the time available to me. Let me explain my views on those questions. We have to ask what is the right thing to do for consumers—the people and businesses that use Royal Mail—and what is right and fair for Royal Mail's work force. Do we, as taxpayers, want to address the pensions deficit? We have said, as a Government, that we do, but the Opposition have been strangely silent on that issue. Should taxpayers totally fund the likely future deficits of Royal Mail, which could rise above £500 million a year for the foreseeable future? Personally, I would not rule out some sort of share participation by Royal Mail work force, but I do not think it is in their long-term interest to set their face against bringing in private capital through a minority partnership. That is why the Government's policy is to support the proposals in the Hooper report. As I say, we intend to make proposals for discussion.