To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what gross income the Post Office received for granting access to its postcode address file in each of the last three years for which figures are available. (244334)

[holding answer 17 December 2008]: The provision of the postcode address file is an operational matter for which Royal Mail has direct responsibility. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive of Royal Mail, Adam Crozier, to provide a direct reply to the hon. Member.

A copy of the response will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost to the Post Office of maintaining and updating the postcode address file was in each of the last three years for which figures are available. (244335)

[holding answer 17 December 2008]: The provision of the postcode address file is an operational matter for which Royal Mail has direct responsibility. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive of Royal Mail, Adam Crozier, to provide a direct reply to the hon. Member.

A copy of the response will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will investigate the operation by the Post Office of the postcode address file to ensure that it offers users value for money. (244336)

[holding answer 17 December 2008]: I have no plans to investigate the operation of the postcode address file. The provision of this service is an operational matter for which Royal Mail has direct responsibility.

Postcomm, the postal industry regulator, has responsibility for ensuring that Royal Mail maintains the postcode address file and that the file is made available to anybody who wishes to use it.