On reflection, I am happy to do that and shall conclude my comments at this point.

On reflection, I am happy to do that and shall conclude my comments at this point.

My Lords, this important amendment seeks to reassert that the universal service should be maintained as a benefit to the whole country even though this may involve some cost. The amendment aims to remove the new criteria that Clause 28(3) seeks to introduce. These criteria direct Ofcom to have regard...

My Lords, this important amendment seeks to reassert that the universal service should be maintained as a benefit to the whole country even though this may involve some cost. The amendment aims to remove the new criteria that Clause 28(3) seeks to introduce. These criteria direct Ofcom to have regard...

24GC: Clause 28, page 15, line 14, leave out subsection (3)

24GC: Clause 28, page 15, line 14, leave out subsection (3)

24EC: Clause 17, page 10, line 9, at end insert— ““( ) Before making an order under this section, the Secretary of State must consult the trustees of the RMPP.””

24EC: Clause 17, page 10, line 9, at end insert— ““( ) Before making an order under this section, the Secretary of State must consult the trustees of the RMPP.””

I, too, welcome the clarification. We will study the words closely. I concur with the points made by my noble friend Lady Drake. We reserve the right to return to these issues on Report, given their importance. Amendment 24EC not moved. Clause 17 agreed. Clause 18 : Amendments of the...

I, too, welcome the clarification. We will study the words closely. I concur with the points made by my noble friend Lady Drake. We reserve the right to return to these issues on Report, given their importance. Amendment 24EC not moved. Clause 17 agreed. Clause 18 : Amendments of the...

I will speak to Amendments 24EC, 24ED, 24FA and 24GA, which stand in my name, and also to Amendment 24EB. As my noble friend Lady Drake pointed out, there is, at the point of transfer to the new scheme, no clarity in the Government’s proposals regarding a number of issues...

I will speak to Amendments 24EC, 24ED, 24FA and 24GA, which stand in my name, and also to Amendment 24EB. As my noble friend Lady Drake pointed out, there is, at the point of transfer to the new scheme, no clarity in the Government’s proposals regarding a number of issues...

My Lords, I shall comment on some of the other amendments and points that have been made in this debate, which the noble Baroness, Lady Kramer, was right to say has been rather wide-ranging and complex. Perhaps such a large group of amendments has both benefits and disbenefits. I was...

My Lords, I shall comment on some of the other amendments and points that have been made in this debate, which the noble Baroness, Lady Kramer, was right to say has been rather wide-ranging and complex. Perhaps such a large group of amendments has both benefits and disbenefits. I was...

As a matter of historical accuracy, I did not play a prominent part in dealing with the previous Bill. That was done by my noble friends Lord Mandelson and Lord Tunnicliffe, although I was part of the Government.

As a matter of historical accuracy, I did not play a prominent part in dealing with the previous Bill. That was done by my noble friends Lord Mandelson and Lord Tunnicliffe, although I was part of the Government.

My Lords, I suspect that everything that needs to be said has been said already and I do not want to fall into the trap of saying ““but not by everyone””. There is a common thread relating to heritage. I think that keeping the Queen’s head on stamps would be...

My Lords, I suspect that everything that needs to be said has been said already and I do not want to fall into the trap of saying ““but not by everyone””. There is a common thread relating to heritage. I think that keeping the Queen’s head on stamps would be...

Amendment 24PA, standing in my name, would ensure the continuation of the current inter-business agreement between Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd. The agreement should be in force before any disposal of an interest in a Royal Mail company and should include the definition of the relationship between that Royal...

Amendment 24PA, standing in my name, would ensure the continuation of the current inter-business agreement between Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd. The agreement should be in force before any disposal of an interest in a Royal Mail company and should include the definition of the relationship between that Royal...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her response. I have a couple of comments to make. She talked about a long-term contract that is legally permissible. I would welcome some elaboration on what the Government envisage. We constantly talk about this long-term contract that is legally permissible, but somehow...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her response. I have a couple of comments to make. She talked about a long-term contract that is legally permissible. I would welcome some elaboration on what the Government envisage. We constantly talk about this long-term contract that is legally permissible, but somehow...

I felt that the Minister’s comments were helpful. He has agreed to take away some issues, which would be useful. He stressed the importance of ensuring that competition does not undermine the universal service provision or the role of the universal service provider. It is important to hear those remarks...

I felt that the Minister’s comments were helpful. He has agreed to take away some issues, which would be useful. He stressed the importance of ensuring that competition does not undermine the universal service provision or the role of the universal service provider. It is important to hear those remarks...

My Lords, I can understand why my noble friend tabled his amendment, given his long association which started at the GPO—an association which I shared, although not on the postal but on the telecoms side, so we both have a long-standing and abiding interest. We want Royal Mail to have...

My Lords, I can understand why my noble friend tabled his amendment, given his long association which started at the GPO—an association which I shared, although not on the postal but on the telecoms side, so we both have a long-standing and abiding interest. We want Royal Mail to have...

My Lords, I oppose Amendment 25C moved by the noble Baroness, Lady Wheatcroft, and Amendment 30 also in her name. I do not think we can say arbitrarily that we are going to draw a line in the sand. Who knows what situations may arise? I did not quite understand...

My Lords, I oppose Amendment 25C moved by the noble Baroness, Lady Wheatcroft, and Amendment 30 also in her name. I do not think we can say arbitrarily that we are going to draw a line in the sand. Who knows what situations may arise? I did not quite understand...