To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of competition in the parcels market.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of competition in the parcels market.

This note gives an overview of postal services in the UK. It discusses current regulation, market trends and consumer problems.

This note gives an overview of postal services in the UK. It discusses current regulation, market trends and consumer problems.

My Lords, I shall speak also to Amendment 31. Amendment 25 implements a recommendation made by your Lordships’ Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee in its report on the Bill. The Government have also accepted the second and final recommendation by the committee, and we will come to that in...

My Lords, I shall speak also to Amendment 31. Amendment 25 implements a recommendation made by your Lordships’ Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee in its report on the Bill. The Government have also accepted the second and final recommendation by the committee, and we will come to that in...

25A: Clause 60, page 37, line 21, leave out ““may”” and insert ““must””

25A: Clause 60, page 37, line 21, leave out ““may”” and insert ““must””

The Minister made reference to the liabilities. Could he say a word about the inherited assets?

The Minister made reference to the liabilities. Could he say a word about the inherited assets?

My Lords, we have had two very interesting contributions—I am tempted to call them Second Reading speeches, but perhaps that is unkind or does not fully take into account where the argument has reached. They have been an overall look at where we are. We should remember, first, that the...

My Lords, we have had two very interesting contributions—I am tempted to call them Second Reading speeches, but perhaps that is unkind or does not fully take into account where the argument has reached. They have been an overall look at where we are. We should remember, first, that the...

My Lords, Amendment 24PB, which stands in my name and that of my noble friend Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe, would insert a new clause related to the indebtedness of a potential universal service provider. In following the Bill’s progress, it has become clear to me that we have a willing...

My Lords, Amendment 24PB, which stands in my name and that of my noble friend Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe, would insert a new clause related to the indebtedness of a potential universal service provider. In following the Bill’s progress, it has become clear to me that we have a willing...

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, the noble Lord, Lord Young of Norwood Green, has said that this is a very large group of amendments. I considered whether it might be possible to disaggregate some of them and came to the conclusion that, as they all broadly address the same subject—access to the network—it...

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Young of Norwood Green, has said that this is a very large group of amendments. I considered whether it might be possible to disaggregate some of them and came to the conclusion that, as they all broadly address the same subject—access to the network—it...

My Lords, I share the concerns of the noble Baroness, Lady Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde. Overgearing is as bad for companies as it is for Governments, and it is something we need to be aware of as we move towards selling Royal Mail. I would favour an initial public offering, but...

My Lords, I share the concerns of the noble Baroness, Lady Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde. Overgearing is as bad for companies as it is for Governments, and it is something we need to be aware of as we move towards selling Royal Mail. I would favour an initial public offering, but...

My Lords, I hesitate to rise on this occasion because there have been so many detailed, coherent and powerful speeches, but perhaps I may make two brief comments. I would ask the Minister, as he looks at the potential amendments to Clause 28, to recognise that it is an extraordinarily...

My Lords, I hesitate to rise on this occasion because there have been so many detailed, coherent and powerful speeches, but perhaps I may make two brief comments. I would ask the Minister, as he looks at the potential amendments to Clause 28, to recognise that it is an extraordinarily...

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...

In the interests of time, it may be better for the noble Lord to wait until I explain what it is about.

In the interests of time, it may be better for the noble Lord to wait until I explain what it is about.

24GB: Clause 24, page 13, line 17, at end insert— ““( ) Any order under this Part may provide for it (or any of its provisions) to come into force on a specified day. ( ) A ““specified day”” means a day specified in an order made by the Secretary...

24GB: Clause 24, page 13, line 17, at end insert— ““( ) Any order under this Part may provide for it (or any of its provisions) to come into force on a specified day. ( ) A ““specified day”” means a day specified in an order made by the Secretary...

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

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

My Lords, I hope that I may respond to some of the points made in the debate, particularly to the comments made by the Minister. Before I deal specifically with my own Amendment 24EB, I wish to comment on Amendment 24EC, which was spoken to by my noble friend Lord...

My Lords, I hope that I may respond to some of the points made in the debate, particularly to the comments made by the Minister. Before I deal specifically with my own Amendment 24EB, I wish to comment on Amendment 24EC, which was spoken to by my noble friend Lord...

Before the noble Baroness withdraws her amendment, I am happy to provide some clarification on the points she raised. She asked about the Secretary of State being obliged to consult, and I mentioned Clause 17. I apologise if I was not clear enough. The Government’s position is that under the...

Before the noble Baroness withdraws her amendment, I am happy to provide some clarification on the points she raised. She asked about the Secretary of State being obliged to consult, and I mentioned Clause 17. I apologise if I was not clear enough. The Government’s position is that under the...

I thank the Minister for those further clarifications. They are helpful, although they trigger one or two queries. Any further clarity that can be provided in writing would certainly be helpful. I interpreted what the Minister said as the Government putting on record that if they seek to exercise their...

I thank the Minister for those further clarifications. They are helpful, although they trigger one or two queries. Any further clarity that can be provided in writing would certainly be helpful. I interpreted what the Minister said as the Government putting on record that if they seek to exercise their...

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...