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Postal Services Bill [HL]

This debate has been interesting. I am astounded that we have someone in this House who has confessed to being a supporter of Postcomm and followed that up with the words that it is time for a change. The time was eight years ago. I have dug out a copy of Hansard which reports my, approximately, fifth attempt to expose not only the bias and unfairness, but the almost sleight of hand, of an organisation which purported to be a regulator, but was so biased against the Royal Mail and the Post Office. I am tempted to go into more detail, but I will not. However, I will refer to some of the things I said in 2006. I spoke about cherry-picking, downstream access and the cost to the Royal Mail of subsidising our competitors. I said that a number of times in this Chamber. Eight years after I first raised that issue, the Government have said it is a time for a change. That time has gone. I have the greatest respect for my noble friend Lord Carter, who takes responsibility for Postcomm. I wonder whether later this evening he will be able to advise me on my issues with Postcomm. When will the French liberalise their post? The answer might be that it has nothing to do with us. Why do you interfere with the tariffs of the Post Office? He might answer that that is the Government’s responsibility. Why do you not charge the right amount for the downstream access? Again, the answer might be that it is nothing to do with us. It is late so I will not go on. However, anyone who wants to can read about the times I have raised the unfairness of a regulator that did not ever regulate, but which promoted Federal Express, Business Post and all the competitors, and showed them how they could make money off the backs of postmen and postwomen who were delivering mail that was collected under the arrangements that Postcomm agreed. I had better leave that there before I get excited. I am delighted that my noble friend Lord Carter described the business report referred to by the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, as excellent. I would say that, wouldn’t I? From Second Reading, I have been trying to say that the Government have got this issue wrong, that it has been ill thought-out and has been dressed up as a group of things to try to justify selling off the Post Office and the Royal Mail. I thank all those who were able to see the picture clearer than those who have brought this discredited Bill to this House. When people mention post buses, I get a little emotional because I was one of the officers who negotiated the provision of post buses in the Highlands and various parts of the rural community. I remember our arguments with management about the insurance, the seats, the seat belts and all the rest of it, but we won. My colleagues in the Post Office provide an excellent service, which is why I reacted to my noble friend calling them vans. They are not vans. They convey passengers and are doing a first-class job in many parts of the country. I have nothing but admiration for people who can link their jobs with giving a valuable public service, which is at the base of this issue. Do we or do we not want a public service? If you want a public service, you have to pay for it and will the means to do it. If you do not want it, you can do what our political opponents are likely to do, which is to sell the blooming lot off in one go. That is what would happen. I hope that all my colleagues who were so sure that this bit of ownership would be temporary until we get another Labour Government are right. Last Friday, I was 77 and I do not know whether I will live long enough to see what will happen to my Post Office.