The Directive also provided for further steps to be taken towards the completion of the internal market of postal services and tasked the European Commission to come forward with proposals for gradual and controlled liberalisation. It is expected that these proposals will issue shortly. In the United Kingdom, extensive consultation has taken place, in relation to the reserved area and other postal matters, during the review which led to the White Paper on Post Office Reform which was published in July 1999. A Bill has now been laid in with the intention of consolidating the reforms outlined in the White Paper. The Government are of the view that greater competition is essential for postal reform.
Liberalisation promotes competition and greater choice and keener pricing for consumers.
It also encourages greater innovation, productivity and growth of businesses. As set out in the White Paper, the Postal Services Commission will be expected to report on the scope for liberalisation within one year of appointment. We shall also be encouraging them to be thorough and to take account of the views of all interested parties. The previous answer also explained that the level of match funding varied from programme to programme, and depended on the nature of the various projects. That information was not recorded centrally.