STEVENSON PRESSES POSTCOMM ON FUTURE OF RURAL POSTAL SERVICES

Stewart Stevenson, SNP Member of the Scottish Parliament for Banff & Buchan, today [Tuesday] pressed officials from Postcomm on the future of rural postal services.

Further competition is being introduced into the postal network on 1 January 2006 and Mr Stevenson sought reassurances about the impact on rural services. The SNP MSP raised these issues with Nigel Stapleton, Chairman, and Sarah Chambers, Chief Executive of Postcomm, at a briefing by the regulator in Parliament.

Mr Stevenson focussed on the non-availability of new services created by competition entering the market in the most rural Council area in Scotland, Aberdeenshire, where 1% more people in the area live in a rural setting than even in the Highlands.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Stevenson said:

" People in rural areas suffer from less access to public services than those in urban communities. One of the key services that has been available to people in rural areas has been the postal service. Regardless of where individuals live in rural Scotland, they have been guaranteed postal deliveries on a daily basis and access to the network at a universal price. I am determined to ensure this continues.

"Postcomm gave me the reassurance that before they make any change in arrangements regarding postal deliveries, they must be satisfied that the Royal Mail will be able to continue a daily delivery and collection service in every community at an affordable price. This is absolutely essential to ensure rural communities do not lose out in the changes that are taking place.

"It is unimaginable that new postal service providers will offer a service to rural communities at a lower price than the Royal Mail. But these services may be available in urban communities. It is vital that while rural communities are not getting the benefit of cheaper services, they can be guaranteed a universal service on a daily basis and at an affordable price.

"Postcomm are unable to give guarantees about the extent of the rural post office network in the future but I will be pressing the Government to understand the significance of maintaining a comprehensive post office network throughout the rural areas of my constituency.”