Post Codes: Charities

Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions his Department has had with Royal Mail on the provision of a free postcode database for use by charities.

Mr. McFadden
My Department has not had any discussions with Royal Mail on the provision of a free postcode database for use by charities. The Postal Address File is owned and managed by Royal Mail. Under the Postal Services Act 2000 and a condition of its licence, Royal Mail is required to maintain and make the PAF available to any person who wishes to use it on such terms as are reasonable. Postcomm is responsible for enforcing this.