Sell off go-ahead
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• The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sell Parcelforce, despite the Trade Secretary's admission that possible privatisation of the Post Office as a whole is the most complicated issue he can remember.
Before last week's allparty Trade and Industry Select Committee Michael Hese'tine said no decision had yet resulted from the 18-month Post Office review, despite pressure From Post Office management to end the uncertainty. He said it was important to get the decision right.
However, after the hearing a DTI spokesperson said the Government was still fully committed to selling Parcelforce—either by a trade sole or as part of the sale of the whole Post Office. It is expected Parcelforce management will probably mount a bid.
The level of deregulation in the letters market is still also under consideration, according to review sources. But until the privatisation issue is decided the potential for private carriers to enter the market will remain part of the "log-jam" surrounding the review.