To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration of the draft proposals from the European Commission on postal services has taken place (a) by United Kingdom Ministers, and (b) in the United Kingdom Parliament.

The European Commission has not yet published its draft proposals on postal services, and does not expect to do so until next year. United Kingdom Ministers and officials have, however, played, and will continue to play, an active part in the appropriate EC fora in the development of proposals for the Commission's Green Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade a nd Industry what future discussions will take place on proposals from the European Community on postal services.

The European Commission expects to publish its Green Paper on postal services in the new year. This will be followed by a period for consultation during which all interested parties will be encouraged to express their views.