To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much postal business Royal Mail has lost to the private sector since the postal industry was opened up to competition. (112639)

Postcomm has responsibility for the introduction of competition in the UK and monitors its development. Its latest figures show that in the period from April to December 2006, Downstream Access accounted for around 11 per cent. of Royal Mail’s total addressed letter volumes in the licensed area. This is mail carried by alternative operators and handed over to Royal Mail for final delivery. Royal Mail still delivers this mail and collects revenue for the final delivery, and is therefore delivering 99 per cent. of licensed area addressed mail.

Mail volumes carried from collection to final delivery (end-to-end) by alternative operators represents less than 1 per cent. of overall volumes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Royal Mail customers posting items second class sometimes receive a first class service. (117609)

This is an operational matter for Royal Mail. I have therefore asked Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, to reply direct.