To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) if his Department will commission research on the effect of Postwatch's merger with the National Consumer Council and Energywatch on consumer protection; (166811)

The new NCC is not scheduled to be vested with its full powers until 1 October 2008. It will require a further period after this before it is operating at its full capacity. The National Audit Office has already indicated that it has an interest in the merger outcomes and the Department will consult with the NAO about the timing and of and prospective approach to any future review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent discussions his officials have had on protecting the interests of business consumers of mail services with particular reference to the merger of the National Consumer Council, Energywatch and Postwatch. (166813)

Officials from the Department meet monthly with colleagues from Postwatch on all issues concerning complaints whether from vulnerable consumers or from small businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions his officials have had on the transitional arrangements in the process of merging the National Consumer Council, Energywatch and Postwatch, with particular reference to the interests of consumers. (166814)

Officials from the Department are working in collaboration with colleagues from the National Consumer Council, Energywatch and Postwatch to draw up transition plans. The project is governed by a steering and delivery group comprising Department officials, the consumer bodies, Consumer Direct and the sector regulators for the postal services and energy sectors. Working groups are considering HR, IT, legal contracts, finance, complaints handling, policy and campaigns and communications.