I am writing to invite you to submit written evidence to the inquiry on postal services to be conducted by Sub-Committee B of the House of Lords European Union Committee. The inquiry is based upon the Commission's proposal to open up further parts of the postal services market to competition by January 2003 (Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 97/67/EC with regard to the further opening to competition of Community postal services). The Commission proposes to:

reduce the existing weight/price limits from 350 grams / 5 times the basic standard tariff for letters to 50 grams/ 2.5 times the basic standard tariff for letters;

reduce the existing weight/price limits from 350 grams / 5 times the basic standard tariff for letters to 50 grams / 2.5 times the basic standard tariff for direct mail (i.e. addressed advertising material);

full opening to competition of outward cross-border mail;

full opening to competition of all express mail services (without price limit).

The inquiry will build on the Sub-Committee's previous consideration of postal services liberalisation in Session 1995-96 (House of Lords European Communities Committee, 10th Report, Session 1995-96, "Community Postal Services" HL 81].

The Sub-Committee is particularly interested in the views of witnesses on the following points:

What benefits are likely to result from the proposed liberalisation measures?

What problems could result from the proposed liberalisation, particularly in terms of maintenance of a universal service with an affordable and uniform tariff structure?

Are there any measures not identified in the Commission's proposals which would help to secure the Community's stated aims for postal services?

Evidence should be submitted to Patrick Wogan, Committee Office, House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW. Fax 020 7219 6715. E-mail woganp@parliament.uk OR sampsonm@parliament.uk. Evidence must arrive by 15 September 2000.

Evidence should be written in short numbered paragraphs and accompanied by a brief summary of the main points. It should not exceed six sides of A4 except by prior arrangement with the Clerk. If drawings or charts are included, these must be black-and-white and of camera-ready quality.

Evidence should be signed and dated, with a note of the author's name and status, and of whether the evidence is submitted on an individual or corporate basis. Only one copy is required. All submissions will be acknowledged. Evidence submitted in response to this invitation becomes the property of the House and may be printed.

You may follow the progress of the inquiry from the Weekly Agenda of House of Lords Select Committees. This is free, and may be ordered from Geoffrey Newsome, Committee Office, House of Lords, London SW1A OPW, telephone 020 7219 6678. Alternatively, consult the UK Parliament web site, at http://www.parliament.uk.
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